Another way to distinguish "Meloidogyne" species is by the perineal patterns. The perineal pattern involves anus, vagina and surrounding area. Each species has a unique pattern that can distinguish them, but only a trained nematologist is able to verify those small differences. "Meloidogyne exigua"s perineal pattern has a hexagonal shape, with a dorsal arch above the anus and lateral lines not very pronounced on the perineal pattern, while "M. coffeicola" pattern have a more simple conformation with striations between vulva and anus forming a target.