More than 2,500 abstracts of papers published in a period of 44 years (1956-1998) of nematological research makes the Cumulative Abstract Index to Nematologica an indispensable tool for research workers, agricultural industrialists and university teachers. The abstract index will greatly facilitate access to quality papers on the subject of nematodes (taxonomy, physiology, morphology and genetics), crop protection research, molecular biology in nematological research, nematode parasites, nematophagous fungi, arthropods and soil free-living nematodes and will be a valuable aid to researchers. The Index is even more valuable if used in combination with the General Index published as part of the regular publication program of Nematologica (issue 43 (3-4), May 1997). This general Index volume consists of an Index to Authors and Titles, a Systematic and Subject Index to Nematodes, a Systematic and Subject Index to Hosts/Parasites, and an Index to Methods. The Index can be specifically used to find references to certain nematode species, whereas the abstracts of the actual papers are readily found in the chronologically ordered Cumulative Abstract Index to Nematologica.