Putative Feeding
The feeding habits of nematodes are based on direct observation, feeding
structures, intestinal content, stomal attributes, esophageal/pharyngeal
structure and feeding behavior. In
some cases. The feeding habits are relatively certain. For example, most
nematodes with a large stomatostyle and tylenchid esophagus probably feed
on.higher plants. However, those with a delicate, finer stylet may be fungus feeders, or perhaps designated as root associates feeding on plant and/or fungal
structures that can be accessed with a delicate stylet. Nematodes that feed on
bacteria may be observed ingesting bacteria-laden suspensions on an agar plate,
but is that all that they are ingesting?
What about dissolved nutrients or particulate matter in the ingested
suspension? In the case of
nematodes that are parasites of animals, the ingestion of blood or tissues can
be inferred by observation and damage to the host.
However, some nematode associates of arthropods are assumed to have
necronemic behavior. They may or may not accelerate the death of the host but
actually feed on bacteria that are exploiting the decaying tissues.
The feeding habits or freshwater and marine nematodes may be inferred
from plankton or algae in the intestine contents but many may be direct
parasites or fish and marine invertebrates,
So, there are many uncertainties in feeding habits and, in the Nemaplex
tables, no attempt had been made to define the actual food of marine, freshwater
or animal-parasitic nematodes.
Otherwise, the definitions proposed by Yeates et al (1993) are generally
followed in Nemaplex except where more recent information has emerged.
References:
Yeates, G.W., Bongers, T., De Goede, R.G.M., Freckman, D.W., Georgieva, S.S.,
1993. Feeding habits in soil nematode families and genera — an outline for soil
ecologists. J. Nematol. 25:315–331.