Prey preference and feeding behaviour of the diplogastrid predator Mononchoides gaugleri (Nematoda: Diplogastrida)

Abstract

Prey preference and feeding behaviour of Mononchoides gaugleri were studied using 11 phytoparasitic nematode species as prey. A full range of prey preferences were detected in no choice and paired choice predator-prey experiments. Meloidogyne incognita, Heterodera mothi and Anguina tritici juveniles (coefficient of preference = 0.92-1.00) were highly preferred as prey by M. gaugleri in all tests. The second tier of prey preference was occupied by the adult Hirschmanniella oryzae, Tylenchorhynchus mashhoodi, Xiphinema americanum and Paratrichodorus christiei (coefficient of preference = 0.19-0.67), and the third tier by Longidorus attenuatus and Helicotylenchus indicus (coefficient of preference = −0.15-−0.57). Hemicriconemoides mangiferae and Hoplolaimus indicus were not preyed upon. Mononchoides gaugleri attacked H. mothi and A. tritici (maximum strike rate (SR) = 92-94%), which has resulted in maximal prey wounding (encounters resulted in wounding (EW) = 46-47%). Longidorus attenuatus was attacked minimally (SR = 42%) with fewest casualties (EW = 21%). Hirschmanniella oryzae, H. mothi and M. incognita were most susceptible (prey susceptibility (PS) = 87.5-93.5%), whereas X. americanum and P. christiei were highly resistant prey species (prey resistance (PR) = 66.7-74.2%). Temperature and prey density governed predator feeding activities, with optimal search duration at 20-30 • C and 150-225 prey. The shortest and longest feeding durations of Mononchoides gaugleri were recorded for M. incognita and L. attenuatus, respectively. Predation was density-dependent.

Biology and predatory attributes of a diplogasterid nematode, Fictor composticola Khan et al., 2008

“…Earlier worker, have offered only limited number of preys (25 -50) in their experimentation that might have affected their results. They have also reported that the predation rate is affected by prey density (Yeates, 1969;Bilgrami & Jairajpuri, 1989;Bilgrami et al, 2005). Since F. composticola has high predation rate for both plant parasitic and fungivorous nematodes, biological potential of this nematode may be exploited for their management.…”

“…As with other diplogasterids, the life cycle of F. composticola is short and has high fecundity and is affected by temperature. It is a voracious feeder and its predation rate is much higher than reported for other diplogasterids (Yeates, 1969;Steel et al, 2011;Bilgrami et al, 2005). Earlier worker, have offered only limited number of preys (25 -50) in their experimentation that might have affected their results.…”

Mononchoides composticola n. sp. (Nematoda: Diplogastridae) associated with composting processes: morphological, molecular and autecological characterisation

“…Predation rates can be influenced by prey density and by interference between different predators in the same habitat (Hamels et al, 2001). Yeates (1969), Bilgrami and Jairajpuri (1989) and Bilgrami et al (2005) demonstrated that Mononchoides species show prey density-dependent predation rates.…”

“…detected and migrated to bacterial colonies and preyed upon bacterial-feeding nematodes. Several Mononchoides species have been reported as predators on other nematodes: M. potohikus (Yeates, 1969), M. longicaudatus (Bilgrami & Jairajpuri, 1988), M. fortidens (Bilgrami & Jairajpuri, 1988), M. gaugleri (Bilgrami et al, 2005), M. bollingeri (Goodrich et al, 1968) and M. changi (Goodrich et al, 1968). As demonstrated in Figure 5C and D, and as described by Bilgrami and Jairajpuri (1989) and Fürst von Lieven and Sudhaus (2000), Mononchoides species pierce the cuticle of their prey by using their movable dorsal tooth, in addition to pharyngeal suction.…”

“…Mononchoides longicaudatus and M. fortidens both consumed on average approximately 10 Rhabditis sp. in 24 h (Bilgrami et al, 2005). Predation rates can be influenced by prey density and by interference between different predators in the same habitat (Hamels et al, 2001).…”