Focusing on the life and contributions of Dr. J.G. de Man, the book explores the significant impact of this Dutch zoologist on the study of Crustacea and Nematoda systematics from 1850 to 1930. It highlights his dedication to advancing scientific understanding in these fields, showcasing his remarkable achievements and the legacy he left behind in zoology.
The genus "Meloidogyne" Goldi, 1892, or root-knot nematodes, represent a relatively small but economically important group of obligate plant pathogens. They are distributed worldwide and parasitize on almost every higher plant species. While reproducing and feeding within roots, they induce galls or root-knots and disorder the physiology of the infected plant, reducing crop yield and product quality. More than eighty nominal species have been described worldwide, while twenty species have been detected in Europe so far. This book includes a historical review on the genus, followed by a revision of the European species, and completed with a study on one of the most characteristic morphological structures within the genus: the perineal pattern.