Prionchulus muscorum		Contents		Rev 12/09/2022
		Classification		Biology and Ecology
		Morphology and Anatomy		Life Cycle
Return to Prionchulus Menu				Ecosystem Functions and Services
		Distribution		Management
Return to Mononchidae Menu		Feeding		References
		Go to Nemaplex Main Menu		Go to Dictionary of Terminology

Classification:

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Morphology and Anatomy:

Prionchulus head: offset lip region, prominent labial papillae, anteriorly directed dorsal tooth and subventral denticles.	Prionchulus: Rows of subventral denticles
Prionchulus esophageal region	Prionchulus tail region: no spinneret, poorly developed caudal glands
Prionchulus female: diovarial, amphidelphic, sclerotized pieces surrounding vulva
Photomicrographs by Howard Ferris
Males:   Rare. Stout spicules, Ventral row of supplements anterior to cloaca.	Female:   Large nematodes, 1-3 mm length. Lip region slightly offset, prominent labial papillae. Large buccal cavity with dorsal tooth pointing forward, located in anterior region.  Two rows of subventral denticles opposite dorsal tooth. Diovarial, amphidelphic. Spinneret absent..
Reported median body size for this species (Length mm; width micrometers; weight micrograms) - Click:

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Distribution:

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Feeding:

Predaceous on other organisms, especially nematodes.

The photographs in the Morphology and Anatomy section were of specimens from a population of hundreds of individuals from a somewhat dry moss growing on the trunk of an oak tree in Shingle Springs, Eldorado County, California.  There were no other nematodes in the sample so the food source for the population could not be ascertained.  However, all individuals were well-fed and very active, with many juveniles.  Similar numbers were found in damp moss at the base of a California Buckeye tree at Bobcat Ranch, Yolo County, California.

Prionchulus sp. feeding on nematode prey From moss, La Mancha, Veracruz, México;  photographs by Ignacio Cid del Prado

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Biology and Ecology:

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Life Cycle:

Ecophysiological Parameters:

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Ecosystem Functions and Services:

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Management:

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References:

Jairajpuri, M.S. and Khan, W.U. 1982. Predatory Nematodes (Mononchida). Associated Publishing, New Delhi 131p.

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Copyright © 1999 by Howard Ferris.
Revised: December 09, 2022.