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:

Enoplea
       Mononchida
         Mononchidae

  Prionchulus muscorum (DuJardin, 1845) Wu and Hoeppli, 1929

 

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Morphology and Anatomy:

 

Prionchulus head: offset lip region, prominent labial papillae, anteriorly directed dorsal tooth and subventral denticles.

 

P. muscorum
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
PmuscorumVulva 
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:

For Ecophysiological Parameters for this species, click If species level data are not available, click for genus level 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.