Report of Xiphinema index Thorne and Allen, 1950 (Dorylaimida: Longidoroidea) Associated with Neglected Apple Orchards of Baramulla, Kashmir, India

Xiphinema index Thorne and Allen, 1950, the dagger nematode of order dorylaimida and superfamiy longideroidea is described and illustrated from rhizosphere of neglected apple orchards of Baramulla Kashmir India and is recognised by female body dimensions as L= 2.98 (2.92–3.1) mm; a= 63.0 (61.0–64.0); b= 7.1 (6.9–7.5); c= 83.0 (77.0–92.0); c’= 1.1 (1.0–1.2); v= 39.2 (38.439.8); odontostylet= 123 (120–127); odontophore= 68.0 (64.0–74.0); total length of stylet= 191 (184–201) with cuticle in two layers, inner one being thicker than the other one. Fine radial striae closely visible on tail. Lateral chords about 1/4^th of the body width near middle. Lip region rounded, slightly offset. Amphid stirrup shaped which are nearly 3/5^th of the labial-width and are located at the base of lip region. Odontostylet 8–9 labial width long, odontophore nearly 1/1.6^th of the odontostylet. Cardia short and conoid. Nerve ring surrounding the anterior slender part of the oesophagus at 1–2 labial width from the base of odontophore. Genital tract amphidelphic, each sexual branches consisting of a reflexed ovary, distal narrow and proximal convoluted portion of uterus. Vulva is at 38.4–39.8 per cent of the total body length from the anterior extremity. Tail short dorsally convex, ventrally almost straight or slightly convex with mamillate peg, about one anal body width long and provided with 2–3 papillae on each side.