1.Changes in the chemical composition of pellets of the nematode Aphelenchus auenae were studied as the worms experienced evaporative water loss during 72 hours at 97% RH.2. Lipid content declines rapidly during the first 24 hours, and decreases to about 60% of the original by the end of 72 hours.3. Glycogen content declines to about 50% of original by the end of 24 hours, and to 10% of original by 72 hours.4. Glucose content remains constant. 5 . Glycerol and trehalose contents both increase rapidly, reaching about 6. Strong correlations between survival in dry air and glycerol and trehalose 700% of the 24-hour content by the end of 72 hours, i n each case. contents were observed.
ABSTRACT1. Nematodes, Aphelenchus avenue, can be induced to become anhydrobiotic by drying in aggregates (pellets) (>90 mg wet weight) at 97% relative humidity (RH). When the rate of weight loss exceeds 3% hr-1 survival is low.2. The number of animals in a pellet that survive exposure to dry air increases with time at 97% RH.3. The time required for recovery is shortened by rehydration at high humidities before the animals are placed in water and advances with the length of time they are in dry air.4. The proportion of animals recovering in water that will survive rapid dehydration decreases with the time they are in water.
Changes in chemical composition, water content, respiration, and ability to survive rapid dehydration in dry air were studied in nematodes, Aphelenchus avenae, recovering from anhydrobiosis, in water. Water content rises rapidly, from about 0.02 mg H,O/mg dry weight to 2.0 mglmg after five minutes and 2.9 mglmg after four hours. Glycogen increases from 5 pglmg to about 25 pglmg after one hour. Glycerol and trehalose fall from 45 pglmg and 125 pglmg respectively to undetectable levels and 70 pglmg after four hours. Oxygen uptake rises from about 25 nllmglmin after ten minutes to 450 nllmgl min after 1.5 hours and then falls to about 150 nllmg min after four hours. Lipid content declines from 124 pglmg to 51 pglmg after 24 hours. Correlations were observed between survival in dry air and glycerol, trehalose, and water contents.
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