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The Society of Nematologists was founded in 1961. Its membership consists of those persons
interested in basic or applied nematology, which is a branch of zoology
dealing with nematode worms. The work of pioneer nematologists,
demonstrating the economic importance of nematodes and the collective
critical mass of interested nematologists laid the groundwork to form
the Society of Nematologists (SON).
SON was
formed as an offshoot of the American Phytopathological Society (APS
– see MS 175). Nematologists who favored the formation of a
separate organization from APS held the view that the interests of SON
were not confined to phytonematological problems and in 1958, D.P.
Taylor of the University of Minnesota, F.E. Caveness of North Dakota
College, A. L. Jenkins of the University of Missouri and O.H. Elmer
from Kansas State College formed a committee of four to promote the
formation of an independent society. In December 1959 at the meeting of
the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) at Pennsylvania
State University, a committee was appointed to study steps that should
be taken for the formation of a new society. The first officers of SON
were elected in 1961.The first meeting of SON was held August 26-29,
1962 on the Oregon State University Campus.
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