Bursaphelenchus hofmanni sp. n. (Nematoda, Aphelenchoididae) from spruce wood in Germany.

Investigations on the occurrence of Bursaphelenchus nematodes were carried out in damaged coniferous forests in Germany during the summer and autumn, 1996. The survey was part of a joint research project supported by the Commission of the European Communities (FAIR programme) aiming at the evaluation of the importance of Bursaphelenchus nematodes in South East and Central Europe. During this survey a new species, Bursaphelenchus hofmanni, was found in spruce wood in Thuringia, Germany. The species is characterized by a relatively small body length, females and males averaging 578 and 530 μm, respectively, the a-value in females and males 28 (23-31) and 25 (22-31), respectively, with a stylet length of 12 (11-14) μm. The males have relatively small and slightly curved spicules (length 13 [11-17] μm) with a prominent rostrum and a small cucullus.The female tail is conoid and curved with a finely rounded terminus. The females have a small vulval flap.