Soil organisms are a crucial part of the terrestrial biosphere. Despite their importance for ecosystem functioning, no quantitative, spatially-explicit models of the active belowground community currently exist. In particular, nematodes are the most abundant animals on Earth, filling all trophic levels in the soil food web. Here, we use 6,579 georeferenced samples to generate a mechanistic understanding of the patterns of global soil nematode abundance and functional group composition. The resulting maps show that 4.4 ± 0.64  10 20 nematodes (total biomass ~0.3 Gt) inhabit surface soils across the world, with higher abundances in sub-arctic regions (38% of total), than in temperate (24%), or tropical regions (21%). Regional variations in these global trends also provide insights into local patterns of soil fertility and functioning. These high-resolution models provide the first steps towards representing soil ecological processes into global biogeochemical models, to predict elemental cycling under current and future climate scenarios.

A root-knot nematode parasitizing rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Santa Catarina state (Brazil) was identified as Meloidogyne oryzae Maas, Sanders and Dede, 1978 using different approaches. The specimens studied from this Brazilian population were compared with the type description of M. oryzae from Suriname, with additional morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization. The female has a longer stylet (15.0 μm) when compared with M. graminicola (11.2 μm) with irregularly shaped knobs, vulva offset and slightly protruding in posterior region. The lip region was distinct from first body annuli, and labial disc and the medial lips form an anchor-shaped structure. Perineal patterns were similar to M. graminicola. The male has a lip region offset and the presence of few short and irregular lines; medial lips divided, not fused with labial disc and stylet (18.2 μm) longer than in M. graminicola (16.8 μm). Second-stage juvenile (J2) tail (75.8 μm) was longer than in M. graminicola (70.9 μm) with a very long narrow hyaline portion (22 μm in M. oryzae and 17.9 μm in M. graminicola). Biochemically, it presented a distinct esterase profile (Est O1=R1), differentiating it from M. graminicola (Est VS1). The number of chromosomes was 3n = 50-56, and in DNA sequences of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rRNA the two populations of M. oryzae clustered together with other mitotic parthenogenetic species, differentiating them from M. graminicola with n = 18 chromosomes and clustered with meiotic species. Phylogenetic analysis using neutral markers (AFLP and RAPD) showed that both M. oryzae populations form a coherent, closely related cluster separately from M. graminicola isolates. This study represented the first detection of M. oryzae in Brazil and the second in the world after the species description in 1971.

The study of nematodes parasitizing native plants plays a crucial role in understanding plant-pathogen interactions. In the present study we describe the patterns of attack by an undescribed species of Ditylenchus occurring in Miconia albicans (Melastomataceae), a widespread, native shrub from the Brazilian cerrado. We also tested the hypothesis that nematode-induced leaf galls negatively correlate to host plant performance and that gall density is a function of host plant density. We collected paired healthy and attacked shoots from 28 individuals of M. albicans and estimated the leaf area lost to nematodeinduced galls in up to 10 leaves per shoot. We analyzed the relationships between leaf area lost to nematode galls and reproductive traits. Nematode attack levels were also compared to the spatial distribution of the host plant. Inflorescence length and fruit production were significantly reduced in attacked shoots compared with healthy shoots. Seeds from attacked shoots showed no significant reduction in germinability or germination time when compared with seeds collected from healthy shoots. Gall density was positively correlated with host density. Despite being seldom studied in tropical ecosystems, nematodes may play an important role in plant fitness and in structuring tropical communities.

Background and Aims Endoparasitic root-knot nematodes (RKNs) (Meloidogyne spp.) cause considerable losses in banana (Musa spp.), with Meloidogyne incognita a predominant species in Cavendish sub-group bananas. This study investigates the root transcriptome in Musa acuminata genotypes 4297-06 (AA) and Cavendish Grande Naine (CAV; AAA) during early compatible interactions with M. incognita.Methods Roots were analysed by brightfield light microscopy over a 35 d period to examine nematode penetration and morphological cell transformation. RNA samples were extracted 3, 7 and 10 days after inoculation (DAI) with nematode J2 juveniles, and cDNA libraries were sequenced using lllumina HiSeq technology. Sequences were mapped to the M. acuminata ssp. malaccensis var. Pahang genome sequence, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified and transcript representation determined by gene set enrichment and pathway mapping.Key Results Microscopic analysis revealed a life cycle of M. incognita completing in 24 d in CAV and 27 d in 4279-06. Comparable numbers of DEGs were up-and downregulated in each genotype, with potential involvement of many in early host defence responses involving reactive oxygen species and jasmonate/ethylene signalling. DEGs revealed concomitant auxin metabolism and cell wall modification processes likely to be involved in giant cell formation. Notable transcripts related to host defence included those coding for leucine-rich repeat receptorlike serine/threonine-protein kinases, peroxidases, thaumatin-like pathogenesis-related proteins, and DREB, ERF, MYB, NAC and WRKY transcription factors. Transcripts related to giant cell development included indole acetic acid-amido synthetase GH3.8 genes, involved in auxin metabolism, as well as genes encoding expansins and hydrolases, involved in cell wall modification.Conclusions Expression analysis in M. acuminata during compatible interactions with RKNs provides insights into genes modulated during infection and giant cell formation. Increased understanding of both defence responses to limit parasitism during compatible interactions and effector-targeted host genes in this complex interaction will facilitate the development of genetic improvement measures for RKNs.

Temporal (monthly in three fields for 12 months) and spatial (once in 23 fields during March-April) samplings were conducted in the major soybean (Glycine max)-growing region of the Brazilian Federal District. Fifty-three nematode genera were found in both samplings, but 13 were detected only by the temporal sampling, and one only by the spatial sampling. Fifty-three percent were plantparasites, 35% were bacterivores, and about 12% were fungivores, predators and omnivores constituted the community that was dominated by the genera Helicotylenchus (40% of total abundance), Acrobeles (15%), Cephalobus (7.6%), Meloidogyne (5.6%) and Pratylenchus (4.9%). Heterodera glycines was not found in this study. There were no differences in ten ecological measurements [Ds, H', Es, T, FF/BF, (FF+BF)/PP, MI, PPI, mMI, and Dorylaimida (%)] between the two sampling types, but differences in indexes d and J´. Plant parasite populations dropped at the end of the crop cycle, remained at low levels during the dry season and the seedling period, then increased again in the crop-growing season. Fungivores maintained their low populations throughout the year, increasing only in June and July, the post-harvest period, when soil fungi decomposed root tissue. The population of bacterivores slightly declined during the dry season and the initial rainy season, but peaked in the middle of the rainy season, apparently associated with soil humidity. In the five most abundant nematodes, those of Acrobeles and Pratylenchus were more populous in wet soils, Cephalobus and Meloidogyne adapted well in dry soils, but Helicotylenchus survived abundantly in a wide range of soil moisture.Additional keywords: Glycine max, population dynamics, nematode ecology, temporal and spatial samplings, and functional groups. RESUMO Comunidade de nematóides, estrutura trófica e flutuação populacional em plantações de sojaAmostragens temporal (mensalmente em três campos por 12 meses) e espacial (uma vez, em 23 campos, de março a abril) foram feitas na principal região sojícola do Distrito Federal. Nos dois tipos de amostragem foram encontrados 53 gêneros de nematóides, sendo 13 deles detectados apenas pela temporal e um somente pela espacial. Do total, 53% foram fitoparasitos, 35% bacteriófagos e cerca de 12% micófagos, predadores e onívoros. Esses constituíram a comunidade de nematóides, dominada por Helicotylenchus (40% da abundância total), Acrobeles (15%), Cephalobus (7,6%), Meloidogyne (5,6%) e Pratylenchus (4,9%). Heterodera glycines não foi encontrado neste estudo. Não houve diferença quanto aos índices Ds, H', Es, T, FF/BF, (FF+BF)/PP, MI, PPI, mMI e Dorylaimida (%) entre as duas amostragens, mas houve diferença quanto aos índices d e J´. Os fitoparasitas tiveram populações reduzidas no final do ciclo da cultura, se mantiveram em nível baixo na estação seca e no período de desenvolvimento inicial das plantas, aumentando durante o crescimento das mesmas. Os micófagos se mantiveram em baixa população durante o ano, mas se elevaram em junho e julho, período de pós...

RESUMOMeloidogyne mayaguensis foi detectado pela primeira vez no estado de Goiás, em duas propriedades (Formosa e Luziânia), causando dano em pomares comerciais de goiaba (Psidium guajava) cv. Paluma de um ano de idade e de 14 anos, respectivamente. Plantas infectadas pelo nematóide mostraram redução de crescimento, clorose generalizada, deficiência nutricional e redução qualitativa e quantitativa de produção. As raízes severamente infestadas apresentaram-se pouco desenvolvidas e deformadas pela presença de múltiplas galhas de tamanho variado. Mamoeiros (Carica papaya) cv. Formosa, plantados em consórcio com as goiabeiras na propriedade de Formosa, apresentaram numerosas galhas no sistema radicular, embora, nenhum sintoma secundário de meloidoginose tenha sido observado na parte aérea. A produção de frutos dos mamoeiros foi alta, evidenciando tolerância dessa cultivar ao nematóide. O fenótipo M2 para a isoenzima esterase (Rm: 0,7, 0,9) foi detectado e M. mayaguensis identificado em ambas as culturas e propriedades. As análises com marcadores moleculares espécie-específica usando primers que amplificam regiões intergênicas do DNA ribossomal e do DNA mitocondrial também confirmaram esse diagnóstico. Levantamento realizado, em outras localidades da fazenda em Formosa mostrou a presença de Meloidogyne javanica em baixa população, corroborando a idéia de introdução de M. mayaguensis na área, através do plantio de mudas infectadas, oriundas da região de Petrolina. Na propriedade em Luziânia, o nematóide é provavelmente de ocorrência natural, considerando-se a idade das plantas e o número reduzido de goiabeiras infectadas. Palavras-chave: fenótipo de esterase, DNA ribossômico, DNA mitocondrial, identificação, nematóide das galhas. ABSTRACT Detection of Meloidogyne mayaguensis on guava and papaya in Goiás State of Brazil using molecular markersMeloidogyne mayaguensis was reported for the first time in the State of Goiás (Formosa and Luziânia), causing damage in oneyear old and 14 year-old commercial guava (Psidium guajava) cv. Paluma orchards. Plants infected by the nematode showed symptoms such as stunted growth, general chlorosis, nutrient deficiency and consequent decline in yield quality and quantity. Severely infested root systems were poorly developed, distorted by small and large multiple galls and devoid of fine roots. Plants of papaya cv. Formosa were cultivated in consortium with guava in the Formosa orchard and presented several galls in the root system, but no root-knot-nematode root-knot-nematode secondary symptoms were observed in the aerial part. The production of papaya fruits was high, evidencing tolerance of this cultivar to the symptoms were observed in the aerial part. The production of papaya fruits was high, evidencing tolerance of this cultivar to the were observed in the aerial part. The production of papaya fruits was high, evidencing tolerance of this cultivar to the nematode. The M2 phenotype (Rm: 0.7, 0.9) was detected for the isoenzyme esterase and M. mayaguensis was identified in both crops...

a global database of soil nematode abundance and functional group composition Johan van den Hoogen et al. # as the most abundant animals on earth, nematodes are a dominant component of the soil community. they play critical roles in regulating biogeochemical cycles and vegetation dynamics within and across landscapes and are an indicator of soil biological activity. Here, we present a comprehensive global dataset of soil nematode abundance and functional group composition. This dataset includes 6,825 georeferenced soil samples from all continents and biomes. For geospatial mapping purposes these samples are aggregated into 1,933 unique 1-km pixels, each of which is linked to 73 global environmental covariate data layers. Altogether, this dataset can help to gain insight into the spatial distribution patterns of soil nematode abundance and community composition, and the environmental drivers shaping these patterns.

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