A survey on the nematodes associated with fig pollinator wasps in Turkey

In this study, the diversity and distribution of the nematodes associated withpolinator fig wasps and native figs (Ficus sp.) which have economic importance andwide range of distrubition in Turkey were examined using morphologic andmolecular analyses. During the study, a total number of 308 ficus sample collectedand investigated from different part of Turkey was determined as Ficus carica(Moraceae), and their polinator wasps were identified as Blastophaga psenes(Agaonidae). According to the molecular analyses (sequences of 28S rRNA D2D3domains and mitochondrial cytocrom oxidase I (mtCOI)) and morphological andmorphometric measurements, all isolated nematodes from Ficus carica in Turkeywere identified as Schistonchus caprifici (Aphelenchoididae). It was the first timethat the DNA sequences of Schistonchus caprifici species were obtained and sent toGene Bank with this study.The nematodes belong to the genus Parasitodiplogaster were not found inthis study.ANAHTAR SÖZCÜKLER/ KEY WORDS: Ficus carica,Blastophaga psenes, Schistonchus sp., Aphelenchoididae, Parasitodiplogaster sp.,Diplogasteridae.