The Longidoridae of the Maltese Islands with the description of Longidorus magnus sp. n. and Xiphinema melitense sp. n.

During a survey of plant parasitic nematodes carried out in the Maltese Islands in the period 1974-1976 (Lamberti and Dandria, 1979) a number of samples were found to contain members of the family Longidoridae. The species found are reported here, with comments on their biometric variability and geographical distribution. All measurements were taken on specimens killed by hot 5% formalin and mounted in glycerin by the slow method. Results A total of six species were found: Longidorus goodeyi Hooper, L. magnus sp. n., Xiphinema pachtaicum (Tulaganov) Kirjanova, X. index Thorne et Allen, X. turcicum Luc et Dalmasso and X. melitense sp. n. (Table I).