Occurrence of Hirschmanniella spp. in Vietnam, an updated species list of the genus and a browser-based interactive key for species identification
摘要
The genus Hirschmanniella comprises economically important plant-parasitic nematodes associated with aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, especially rice. In this study, the occurrence and distribution of Hirschmanniella spp. across six northern provinces of Vietnam were studied. Three species: H. mucronata, H. oryzae, and one unidentified Hirschmanniella sp were recorded. Among them, H. mucronata was the most prevalent, detected in five provinces with a high frequency of occurrence (up to 83.3%) and considerable population densities (up to 159 ± 192 individuals/250 g soil), especially in Vinh Phuc. H. oryzae was mainly detected in Hai Phong, with moderate density and limited distribution. The unidentified Hirschmanniella sp. was restricted to Nam Dinh with low frequency and density. These findings highlight the dominance of H. mucronata in northern Vietnam’s rice ecosystems and suggest potential taxonomic diversity requiring further investigation. Additionally, an updated checklist of valid Hirschmanniella species was provided. To facilitate species identification, a user-friendly browser-based interactive key that integrates morphological characters for distinguishing Hirschmanniella species was also designed. This study provides essential baseline knowledge on rice-associated nematodes, supporting diagnostics, taxonomy, and future research aimed at sustainable management of nematode pests in rice production in Vietnam and beyond.