Australian anguinids: their agricultural impact and control

Abstract

The life history, importance and management of the anguinid nematodes of Australia are briefly summarised. Anguina funesta is the most important because of its association with the toxigenic actinomycete, Rathayibacter toxicus, and consequent contribution to annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT). Although study of A. funesta has provided a good understanding of its biology and workable approaches to control, outbreaks of ARGT still occur and issues remain for exports. An undescribed Anguina species, also associated with R. toxicus and livestock deaths (flood plain staggers), is of economic concern but its dispersed and sporadic occurrence has limited impetus and opportunity for its further study. Anguina tritici exists in Australia only as remnant populations, having been eliminated by mechanised seed cleaning and crop rotations over most of its widespread range of a century ago. A further seven anguinids are known from Australia and, although of minimal economic significance, represent an opportunity for description of new species and further study of this highly specialised group of plant-parasitic nematodes.