This text is an overall view of nematology because I believe the science should be treated as a unified discipline. The differences in the biological habits of nematodes do not justify the separation of plant nematologists and animal nematologists, since the separation is not a reflection of any difIerences inherent to nematodes. Therefore, the book is arranged with a format that in the beginning chapters illustrates the similarities and se- quence of development of morphological characters among nematodes regardless of their biological habits. The later chapters illustrate the in- tegration of the evolutionary development of the parasitie habit from related free-living forms. Nematology is probably the last major discipline to establish its inde- pendence from the parent science of zoology. This natural evolvement of nematology has occurred because of the overwhelming accumulation of sophisticated information and research that reflects the unique relation- ships of nematodes to other forms of plant and animal life as weH as their relationships in other facets of the environment.N ematodes are inverte- brate animals that, like insects, are unusual in their great numbers and varieties, their smaH size (generally microscopic), their high degree of internal organization, and their virtually ubiquitous distribution. They oc- cupy almost every ecological niehe, often causing disease of humans, other animals, and plants. These activities often result in debility, death, or in the impairment and loss of food supply with consequent loss to producers and consumers.

This book is designed for undergraduate agricultural science students, farmers and farm extension personnel to provide a comprehensive description of plant-parasitic nematodes. It is contructed with 16 different chapters comprising of: an introduction; a brief history of plant nematology; the economic importance of nematodes; general characteristics of a plant-parasitic neamtode; general morphology of nematodes; the anatomy of nematodes; the general life cycle biology of plant-parasitic nematodes; taxonomy/systematics/classification of major plant-parasitic nematodes; classification of nematodes based on feeding habits; identification keys for major plant-parasitic nematodes; damage symptoms caused by the nematodes; interaction of nematodes with other microbial pathogens; different methods of nematode control; prominent nematode resistant crop cultivars; the concept of integrated nematode management; nematode parasites of important agricultural and horticultural crops with their management practices; and fundamental nematological techniques. The introduction covers the definition of nematodes, history of nematology, the yield loss caused by nematodes, some important animal parasitic nematodes, and beneficial nematodes including nematodes used in insect control, weed control, and biological monitoring systems. The morphology and anatomy of nematodes are simply explained with detailed diagrams. The taxonomy classification structure based on evolutionary concepts are provided with major differentiation characteristics between important groups. The life cycle of different feeding groups of plant-parasitic nematodes is illustrated with simple illustrations. Identification keys and symptoms of nematode damage are described with suitable images. Overall, nematode control techniques available in literature are summerised briefly with suitable photographs wherever needed. The nematode pests, their symptoms and specific control measures for major agro-horticultural crops like rice, wheat, cotton, pulses, groundnuts, vegetables, potatos, bananas, citrus, grapevines, spices, medicinal plants and flower crops are discussed. The final chaper of this book presents some basic nematode techniques, including nematode extraction protocols, nematode fixing, and mounting techniques. Overall, this fundamental and easy-to-understand book will be particularly useful for students in the biological and agricultural sciences, agronomists, agricultural extension workers and farmers to enable them to gain more insight and equip them with knowledge to solve problems concerning nematodes.

The Biology of Nematodes synthesizes literature on free-living, plant-parasitic, and animal-parasitic nematodes. Topics covered include systematics and phylogeny, neuromuscular physiology, locomotion, sense organs, behavior, aging, the nematode genome, survival strategies, immunology, structure and organization, gametes and fertilization, and feeding and metabolism. This volume, the most authoritative available, includes contributions from researchers working on groundbreaking molecular techniques leading to new approaches in the study of nematode worms. It provides an important resource for research scientists working in a number of agricultural, medical, and biological fields.

Nematology being an established discipline covers a wide range of area ranging from basic aspect to the advanced and applied aspects involving recent advances in molecular techniques. This book discusses the following topics: the role of nematodes in our life (in agriculture, ecosystem functioning, experimental biology, ecological studies, pest management programs, or biocontrol), identification of GRSPs in nematode genomes, novel way for the diagnosis of pathogenic nematodes involving various recent molecular techniques, other methodologies for successful control of termites, evolution of plant-parasitic nematodes, viability of adult filarial nematode parasites, the impact of plant-parasitic nematodes on crops, and harnessing useful rhizosphere microorganisms for nematode control. The book also encompasses on classical study, molecular study, bioinformatics in nematology, biodiversity analysis, and culturing of nematodes in laboratory condition.

Nematodes are the most abundant and diversified group in the animal kingdom, with four out of five animals on earth being nematodes. Nematology was first recognised as an independent discipline during the early part of the century and since that time has made unparalleled advances to become an integral part of biological sciences.Written as two volumes, this title provides a broad overview of our current knowledge of nematology. The first volume addresses basic biology, while this second volume covers applied aspects of nematodes as parasites of plants, humans and other animals, or as disease vectors, and the control of pest nematodes. The contributors to this work include the world's leading authorities from Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, New Zealand, UK and USA. It will provide essential reading for researchers and students with an interest in nematology.

Nematodes are one of the most abundant groups of invertebrates on the face of the earth. Their numbers are estimated to range from 1000 per cm2 in the sand-covered hydrogen sulphide ‘black zone’ beneath the ocean floors to 1.2 billion in a single hectare of soil. Estimates for their species diversity range from 100 000 to 10 million. The past history of nematodes is a mystery, since very few fossils have been discovered. This book establishes a solid base in palaeonematology with descriptions of 66 new fossil species and accounts of all previous fossil and subfossil nematodes from sedimentary deposits, coprolites, amber and mummies. It shows how nematode fossils can be used to establish lineages at various locations and time periods in the earth’s history and when nematodes entered into symbiotic and parasitic associations with plants and animals.