The nematode fauna of the Murray River estuary,South Australia; the effects of the barrages across its mouth

The littoral nematode fauna of the Murray River, South Australia, above and below the barrages that control the outflow of the river into the Southern Ocean has been investigated by taking cores of the sediment at monthly intervals for one year. Samples of river water were taken at the same time for chemical analysis and sediment particle size has also been investigated.At two sites below the barrages the salinity varied depending on the volume of water discharged through the barrages. It rose almost to that of sea water while they remained closed, but fell to that of the river water when they were all open and discharging large volumes of river water. The nematode population fluctuated from about 12 200 to 180 000 m^-2 for nine months, but the numbers of live nematodes fell sharply in July through to September, accompanied by heavy nematode mortality, reaching 100% at one site in August. We attribute the mortality to a prolonged discharge of river water. More than 40 genera have been identified, most with cosmopolitan distributions.Above the barrages, at Mundoo and on Lake Alexandrina the water is fresh river water. The fauna was less dense than that below the barrages; with a maximum of 10000 m^-2. It comprised genera typical of freshwaters overseas (no comparable studies of Australian freshwater nematodes have been reported), such as Eutobrilus, Tripyla and Ironus, together with two species from typical marine genera, i.e. Mesacanthion and Enoploides. The latter species is very similar to E. fuviatilis from the Volga river.It is suggested that low population density below the barrages, when compared with other estuaries, reflects periodic mortality in estuarine nematodes when salinity falls drastically, whilst above the barrages there is a mixture of tolerant estuarine and typical freshwater nematodes.     

Nematodes as Sentinels of Heavy Metals and Organic Toxicants in the Soil

Field and laboratory research has repeatedly shown that free-living soil nematodes differ in their sensitivity to soil pollution. In this paper, we analyze whether nematode genera proved sensitive or tolerant toward heavy metals and organic pollutants in six long-term field experiments. We discuss overlaps between nematode physiological responses to heavy metals and to organic pollutants, which may explain why nematodes can exhibit co-tolerance toward several contaminants. We propose a simple method for separating direct effects of soil contamination on nematode populations from indirect effects mediated through the food chain. Finally, we analyze the extent to which nematodes exhibited consistent responses across the experiments analyzed. Our results show that (a) indirect effects of pollution were generally strong; (b) fewer nematode genera were tolerant than sensitive; (c) many genera, including practically all Adenophorea, exhibited a common response pattern to contaminants; and (d) several genera of the Secernentea exhibited differential tolerance toward particular pollutants. We conclude that bioindication of soil contamination should preferentially be based on tolerant, and less on sensitive, nematodes. We provide a list of nematode genera that may potentially serve as differential bioindicators for specific soil contaminants.     

氮磷输入对过度放牧退化草原土壤线虫群落的影响

线虫是陆地生态系统中数量最多的一类无脊椎后生动物,在土壤碎屑食物网中占据多个营养级,并在能量流动和养分循环中发挥重要的生态功能.土壤线虫的群落结构和多样性水平可以反映生态系统功能的变化.多年来,过度放牧等不合理的开发利用导致我国大面积的草原处在不同程度的退化之中,外源性养分输入是维持其养分平衡进而恢复其生态和生产功能的重要措施.本研究以内蒙古锡林郭勒退化草原为对象,就氮磷输入对土壤线虫丰度和群落结构的单独效应和交互效应进行了研究.本研究获得线虫38属,其中垫咽属、滑刃属、索努斯属和盾垫属是该退化草原线虫群落优势属.氮输入降低了土壤线虫总丰度、捕食杂食线虫丰度以及植物寄生线虫丰度,而磷输入提高了土壤线虫总丰度、食真菌线虫丰度、捕食杂食类线虫丰度以及植物寄生线虫丰度,氮输入抑制了磷输入对线虫总丰度、捕食杂食线虫和植物寄生线虫丰度的促进作用.氮磷输入对线虫多样性无影响,可能与不同养分输入下稳定的植物群落多样性有关.氮输入显著提升了退化草原线虫成熟度指数,降低了植物寄生线虫成熟度指数(PPI),并且能缓解磷输入对PPI和瓦斯乐斯卡指数的负面作用,表明氮输入提高退化草地土壤健康程度,促进线虫群落和食物网的稳定性.上述研究结果有助于从土壤生物学角度理解氮磷输入对退化草地恢复的影响机理.     

宁南山区不同植被恢复方式下土壤线虫群落特征:形态学鉴定与高通量测序法比较

线虫是土壤食物网的重要组分, 也是土壤健康与生态系统恢复的重要指示生物, 因此准确测定线虫群落特征是发挥其生态指示作用的基础。传统线虫学研究多采用形态学鉴定方法, 但高通量测序技术近年来也逐渐受到重视。然而, 关于这两种方法的对比研究目前仍比较缺乏。本研究同时采用形态学鉴定和高通量测序法, 在黄土高原宁夏南部山区, 对不同植被恢复方式下(农田、自然恢复草地、柠条(Caragana korshinskii)人工林地和苜蓿人工草地)土壤线虫的数量、群落格局和生态指数进行了测定和比较。结果表明: (1)高通量测序仅能提供线虫类群的相对多度, 而形态学鉴定法能够测定土壤线虫的绝对多度, 后者测定结果表明3种植被恢复样地, 特别是自然恢复草地和柠条人工林地, 较农田具有更高的土壤线虫多度; (2)高通量测序法检获的线虫类群数(3纲4目26科42属)高于形态学鉴定法的测定结果(2纲3目18科27属), 但两种方法仅检获15个共有线虫属, 前者检测到的植物寄生线虫属数(22属)较后者(7属)显著增加, 而食细菌线虫和杂食-捕食线虫则相反; (3)在两种方法下, 相比农田, 3种植被恢复样地尤其是自然恢复草地和柠条人工林地, 其食微线虫的相对多度均显著下降, 而植物寄生线虫和杂食-捕食线虫的相对多度大幅上升, 这也导致线虫成熟度指数(MI)和植物寄生线虫指数(PPI)的提高及瓦斯乐卡指数(WI)的显著下降; (4)相比形态学鉴定法, 高通量测序法能检测到更丰富多样的植物寄生线虫, 在该方法下土壤线虫群落的组成、结构和生态指数在植被恢复样地与农田之间的差异也更为显著。综上所述, 采用形态学鉴定和高通量测序法测定的不同植被恢复方式下的线虫群落特征具有显著差异。     

宁夏枸杞根际土壤线虫群落特征

宁夏枸杞具有很高的药用价值和营养价值,在宁夏大面积种植,带来了巨大的经济效益.研究不同条件下宁夏枸杞根际土壤线虫群落特征,对防止枸杞园土壤退化具有重要意义.以宁夏枸杞之乡——中宁为研究区,系统分析了季节、树龄和土层对枸杞根际土壤线虫数量和生态指数的影响.结果表明: 夏季宁夏枸杞根际土壤线虫数量最多,小杆属和拟丽突属为优势属;春季线虫数量最少,小杆属、针属和盘旋属为优势属;从春季到秋季,线虫稀有属种类和个体密度逐渐减少.随着树龄的增加,夏季根际土壤线虫总数逐渐减少;春季和秋季枸杞根际线虫总数先增加后减少,其中9年树龄根际土壤线虫总数最多.各树龄根际均为食细菌线虫所占比例最大,食真菌线虫和捕食-杂食类线虫比例很小,树龄<3年和>9年时植物寄生线虫比例相对较大.夏季枸杞根际20～40 cm比0～20 cm土壤线虫数量增加49.4%.随着树龄的增加,枸杞根际土壤线虫多样性指数、均匀度指数和丰富度指数均呈减小-增大-减小的趋势,而优势度指数先减小后增大.土壤pH值与土壤线虫优势度指数呈显著正相关;土壤有机质和速效磷与植物寄生线虫分别呈显著正相关和负相关;土壤碱解氮与线虫总数呈显著正相关;速效钾与线虫多个生态指数均呈显著负相关.整体上,随着树龄的增加,春季和秋季土壤线虫数量先增加后减少,夏季土壤线虫数量呈逐渐减少的趋势;线虫多样性下降,土壤逐渐退化.此外,在幼林和树龄>9年后需要抑制土壤植物寄生线虫的繁殖,以减少后期因线虫引起的病害.     

生活垃圾堆肥基质草坪建植体系接种草坪土壤线虫多样性特征

通过城市生活垃圾堆肥基质草坪建植体系接种草坪土壤线虫,研究了线虫数量、科属分类、营养类群等线虫多样性变化.结果表明,接种草坪土壤线虫 4 个月后,垃圾堆肥基质中共鉴定出线虫4科7属,包括植物寄生性线虫、食真菌线虫和食细菌线虫3个营养类群;垃圾堆肥基质草坪建植体系中线虫总数明显少于土壤基质.在接种草坪线虫的土壤基质草坪建植体系中,植物寄生线虫为优势营养类群,盘旋线虫属仍为优势属,相对多度达到83.3%,显著高于本底土壤45.1%.在接种草坪土壤线虫的垃圾堆肥基质草坪建植体系中,土壤本底中处于优势属的植物寄生类线虫如盘旋线虫属和螺旋线虫属基本消失了,表明垃圾堆肥基质对植物寄生类群的生长与繁殖表现出明显的抑制作用,优势属也发生了很大变化,食细菌类群的头叶属和丽突属成为优势属,相对多度分别为67.0%和14.0%.因此,从草坪土壤线虫危害角度来说,以垃圾堆肥作为草坪基质将会为草坪植物生长创造良好的基质环境.     

藏东南急尖长苞冷杉林林隙土壤线虫群落特征

为了解西藏东南部急尖长苞冷杉林林隙土壤线虫群落特征,对林隙、非林隙土壤0~30 cm范围内不同深度土层的线虫群落进行调查,并用线虫个体密度、生物多样性指数和营养类群指数等特征值分析了土壤线虫群落的结构及多样性特点.结果表明： 采用浅盘法分离得到土壤线虫26801 条,隶属于2纲5目40科64属;线虫个体密度平均为3552 条·100 g-1干土,表聚性极强.垫咽属、丝垫刃属为林隙土壤线虫优势属;食细菌性线虫为主要营养类群.土壤有机质的分解兼有真菌分解和细菌分解两种途径.线虫的生物多样性及丰富度与林隙面积有关.土壤线虫群落特征表明,林隙具有异于郁闭林分和林间空地的特性,在环境指示方面具有应用潜力.     

Cladistic Approaches in the Study of Soil and Plant Parasitic Nematodes

Cladistic analysis of free-living soil nematodes of the Leptonchoidea(Nematoda: Dorylaimida) resulted in groupings different fromthose obtained by traditional methods. We can interpret distributionsof species groups obtained by phyletic analysis in relationto plate tectonic events. Similar techniques are applicableto plant parasitic nematodes. Grouping on the basis of synapomorphiesproduced a cladogram of genera of the family Heteroderidae (Nematoda:Tylenchida) in which Meloidodera and Cryphodera appear to bethe most ancestral genera and the cyst forming genera the mostderived. A cladogram of groups of species in Heterodera sensulato showed a major division, with the round cyst nematodesand the Cacli group in one grouping and the rest of the Heteroderaspecies in the second. I interpret present-day distributionsby a strict vicariance view and suggest potential falsifiers;and also discuss ancient dispersal routes as alternative waysof thinking about nematode distribution.     

The Natural Host Range of Steinernema and Heterorhabditis spp. and Their Impact on Insect Populations

The natural host range of entomopathogenic nematodes of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis can be defined as the range of insects which indigenous nematode populations use for propagation. Information on the natural host range is rare. However, based on records of insects found to be naturally infected with nematodes, some conclusions regarding the natural host range of some Steinernema spp. and Heterorhabditis spp. are presented. Reports of indigenous nematode populations impacting on insect populations can be divided between relatively balanced, long-lasting nematode-host associations and unbalanced, short-lasting epizootics. Examples of the augmentation and inoculative introduction of nematodes in agriculture and forestry ecosystems are presented. Based on current knowledge, nematode reproduction strategies are discussed and indications of the risk involved in the release of non-indigenous nematodes are given.     

江苏省不同农业区土壤线虫群落分布特征

调查了江苏省不同农业区农田土壤线虫群落多样性,分析了土壤线虫数量和群落结构与土壤环境因子的关系,并探讨了土壤线虫对土壤健康的生物指示作用.结果表明： 农田土壤线虫共鉴定出2纲7目19科41属.6个农业区的土壤线虫的密度、群落组成均具有一定的差异性.沿海农业区的线虫数量最多(每100 g干土400条),显著高于徐淮、宁镇扬和沿江农业区(P＜0.05),而沿江农业区的土壤线虫数量最少(每100 g干土232条),这可能是由于土壤质地、年均降雨量和年均气温等因素的差异造成的.地理位置相近的农业区线虫优势属相似.相关性分析结果显示,土壤线虫数量与土壤有机质、全氮、速效氮、速效钾和速效磷均呈显著正相关关系;RDA分析表明,土壤全氮含量、速效磷及pH对线虫群落种属组成影响较大.分析江苏省农田土壤线虫群落空间分布特征,可为农田土壤生态系统健康状况评价提供数据支撑.     

Nematode 18S rRNA gene is a reliable tool for environmental biosafety assessment of transgenic banana in confined field trials

Information on relatedness in nematodes is commonly obtained by DNA sequencing of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region. However, the level of diversity at this locus is often insufficient for reliable species differentiation. Recent findings suggest that the sequences of a fragment of the small subunit nuclear ribosomal DNA (18S rRNA or SSU), identify genera of soil nematodes and can also distinguish between species in some cases. A database of soil nematode genera in a Ugandan soil was developed using 18S rRNA sequences of individual nematodes from a GM banana confined field trial site at the National Agricultural Research Laboratories, Kawanda in Uganda. The trial was planted to evaluate transgenic bananas for resistance to black Sigatoka disease. Search for relatedness of the sequences gained with entries in a public genomic database identified a range of 20 different genera and sometimes distinguished species. Molecular markers were designed from the sequence information to underpin nematode faunal analysis. This approach provides bio-indicators for disturbance of the soil environment and the condition of the soil food web. It is being developed to support environmental biosafety analysis by detecting any perturbance by transgenic banana or other GM crops on the soil environment.     

江苏省不同种植年限的西/甜瓜农田土壤线虫群落特征

在江苏省主要西/甜瓜产区,采集不同种植年限的西/甜瓜农田土壤,采用线虫形态学的鉴定方法,分析了不同种植年限西/甜瓜农田土壤线虫的数量、群落结构及相关生态指数的变化。结果表明:所有调查样点中,共发现土壤线虫54属,平均682条·100 g^-1干土,其中原杆属线虫、拟丽突属线虫和矮化属线虫在不同种植年限的西/甜瓜农田土壤中均为优势属;随着种植年限的增加,土壤线虫的总数量虽无显著变化,但其中食细菌类线虫和杂食-捕食类线虫数量显著减少,而植物寄生类线虫数量显著增加;植物寄生类线虫中的矮化属、根结属线虫数量不断增加;随着种植年限的增加,土壤线虫的多样性指数(H)、瓦斯乐斯卡指数(WI)、自由生活线虫成熟度指数(MI)显著降低,线虫通道指数(NCR)、植物寄生线虫成熟度指数(PPI)、PPI/MI显著升高,其他指数无显著变化;相关性分析结果显示,土壤线虫数量与土壤pH、速效磷、有效锌和有效硼均呈显著正相关;土壤p H、有机质、全氮、速效钾、有效硼和有效锌对土壤优势属线虫的影响较大;连续种植西/甜瓜会增加土壤植物寄生类线虫数量,进而可能造成西/甜瓜连作障碍的发生;连续种植6~10年,土壤线虫的多样性最低、稳定性最差,土壤环境已趋于恶化。     

Observations on crystals found in the intestine of Nematodirus battus during the development of immunity to this nematode in lambs.

Lambs which were given 60000 infective larvae of Nematodirus battus progressively threw off adult nematodes from day 20 onwards. Large, hexagonal crystals appeared in the intestine of the adult nematode at about this time and caused blockage of the intestinal-rectal or -cloacal junction. Lambs which were given 1000-2000 infective larvae did not throw off the infection, and adult nematodes from lambs which had been infected for up to 74 days did not contain these crystals. Chemical, histochemical and x-ray microanalysis tests on the crystals indicated that they are lipoprotein in composition. The crystals arise within the lumen of the nematode and appear to be associated with the development of immunity to this nematode in lambs.     

Meiobenthos in mangrove areas in eastern Africa with emphasis on assemblage structure of free-living marine nematodes

A survey was conducted to examine spatial variations in the population density of major meiofaunal taxa and the assemblage structure of free-living marine nematodes within 5 mangrove areas on the west and east coast of Zanzibar. Meiofauna densities in surface sediments (0–5 cm) ranged from 205 to 5263 ind. 10 cm², being on average 1493 ind. 10 cm². Of the 17 major taxa recorded, nematodes dominated (64–99%) in all samples while harpacticoid copepods were usually second most abundant. Within all areas the numbers of meiofauna were very variable and significant differences among areas were only detected for oligochaetes and turbellarians. Densities of nematodes, harpacticoids, polychaetes and turbellarians were, however, significantly (P<0.001) higher at low water stations compared with mid and high water stations. Harpacticoids were negatively correlated with the numbers of fiddler crab (Uca spp.) burrows. Other correlations between environmental factors (grain size, temperature, salinity, oxygen tension, prop root density, fiddler crab burrows) and major meiofaunal taxa were non-significant. A total of 94 nematode genera were recorded from four mangrove areas. The most abundant and frequent genera were Microlaimus and Spirinia, followed by Desmodora and Metachromadora. Representatives of the genera most common in current study are found all over the globe. There was a high variation in nematode assemblage structure within and between sampling areas indicating the absence of a well defined nematode assemblage confined to mangrove areas. In a hypersaline area diversity was much reduced and where salinity was over 100%. the fauna was restricted to 3 nematode genera, Microlaimus, Theristus and Bathylaimus. Multidimensional scaling ordination (MDS) of the nematode genera separated samples taken from low water stations from other stations, the assemblage structure being significantly different at the low water stations. Numbers of selective deposit feeders were negatively correlated with average grain size and positively correlated with silt content.     

Mass production of entomopathogenic nematodes for plant protection

Entomopathogenic nematodes of the genera Heterorhabditis and Steinernema are commercially used to control pest insects. They are symbiotically associated with bacteria of the genera Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus, respectively, which are the major food source for the nematodes. The biology of the nematode-bacterium complex is described, a historical review of the development of in vitro cultivation techniques is given and the current use in agriculture is summarised. Cultures of the complex are pre-incubated with the symbiotic bacteria before the nematodes are inoculated. Whereas the inoculum preparation and preservation of bacterial stocks follow standard rules, nematodes need special treatment. Media development is mainly directed towards cost reduction, as the bacteria are able to metabolise a variety of protein sources to provide optimal conditions for nematode reproduction. The process technology is described, discussing the influence of bioreactor design and process parameters required to obtain high nematode yields. As two organisms are grown in one vessel and one of them is a multicellular organism, the population dynamics and symbiotic interactions need to be understood in order to improve process management. Major problems can originate from the delayed or slow development of the nematode inoculum and from phase variants of the symbiotic bacteria that have negative effects on nematode development and reproduction. Recent scientific progress has helped to understand the biological and technical parameters that influence the process, thus enabling transfer to an industrial scale. As a consequence, costs for nematode-based products could be significantly reduced.     

Global diversity of nematodes (Nematoda) in freshwater

Despite free-living nematodes being present in all types of limnetic habitats including unfavorable conditions that exclude many other meiobenthic invertebrates, they received less attention than marine and terrestrial forms. Two-fifths of the nematode families, one-fifth of the nearly 1800 genera and only 7% of the about 27,000 nominal species are recorded from freshwater habitats. The Dorylaimia are the most successful in freshwater habitats with nearly two-thirds of all known freshwater nematodes belonging to this subclass. Members of the subclass Enoplia are principally marine though include some exclusively freshwater taxa with extreme endemism. The subclass Chromadoria includes half of the freshwater nematode families and members of the Monhysterida and Plectida are among the most widely reported freshwater nematodes. Studies on freshwater nematodes show extreme regional bias; those from the southern hemisphere are extremely underrepresented, especially compared to European freshwater bodies. The majority of records are from a single biogeographic region. Discussion on nematode endemism is largely premature since apart from Lake Baikal, the nematofauna of ancient lakes as centers of speciation is limited and recent discoveries show high nematode abundance and diversity in cryptic freshwater bodies, underground calcrete formations and stromatolite pools potentially with a high number of new taxa. Guest editors: E.V. Balian, C. Lèvêque, H. Segers & K. Martens Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment     

Influence of cover crops and tillage systems on nematode populations in a maize-cover crop intercrop

Cropping systems affect the distribution/diversity of soil microorganisms, including soilborne pathogens. In order to examine the effect of the cropping systems on soil nematodes, maize (Zea mays) was intercropped with different cover crops [Glycine max (GM), Macrotyloma uniflorum (MU), Centrosema pascuorum (CP), Cucurbita maxima (CM) and a control experiment with no cover crop (NC)] under different tillage systems [no till, reduced tillage and conventional tillage] to evaluate the effect of the various treatments on nematode population. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with three replications each. Tillage was the main treatment while cover crops were applied to subtreatment. In all, nematodes belonging to twenty-two (22) plant parasitic nematode genera were identified. While most of the genera were identified on all the treatments, the interaction of tillage systems and cover crops had significant effect on the population of Xiphinema and Trichodorus only, showing the nullifying effect of some tillage practices on the other nematodes which were significant under crops as only treatments inter alia. This information could be used in nematode management when integrated management systems are being considered for such intercrop mixtures.     

不同植被类型的滩涂湿地土壤线虫群落特征

对江苏盐城湿地保护区内不同植被带土壤线虫的群落结构特征进行了研究.结果表明：调查共鉴定出20科39属,优势属和常见属的数量占总个体数的90%以上;不同植被类型的滩涂湿地土壤线虫总数存在明显差异性,线虫数量范围为每100 g干土79～449条,小麦地显著高于其他植被带,光滩地数量最少.线虫群落生态指数对植被带有不同的响应,土壤线虫群落多样性指数H、均匀度指数J在不同植被带的分布依次为：苇草带＞盐蒿带＞小麦地＞米草带＞光滩带,而优势度指数λ的分布为：光滩带＞米草带＞小麦地＞盐蒿带＞苇草带,表明光滩带的线虫群落多样性和稳定性小于其他植被带,土壤线虫群落趋于单一化;成熟度指数MI表现为保护区内未开垦植被带高于已开垦的小麦地,说明农田受外界干扰明显.不同植被带间的线虫群落结构存在显著差异,各植被带的最大贡献物种各不相同.土壤理化性状与线虫数量、营养类群、生态指数存在明显的相关关系.表明线虫群落的变化能很好地反映植被带生境的多样性,土壤线虫可作为湿地生态系统中一个重要的生物指示因子.     

Response of soil nematode community structure and diversity to long-term land use in the black soil region in China

Soil nematodes are sensitive to environmental changes and are used widely as indicators of soil conditions. The community structure and diversity of soil nematodes were studied in different long-term land use regimes in the black soil area in Northeast China. The land use regimes were maintained for 22?years, and included crop land (CL), grass land (GL) and bare land (BL). Soil samples were taken throughout the growing season, and nematodes were extracted and identified. A total of 39 nematode genera with relative abundance over 0.1?% were identified. Heterodera was the dominant genus in CL; Boleodorus was the dominant genus in GL, and Boleodorus, Eucephalobus and Filenchus were the dominant genera in BL. Land use had a significant effect on abundance of all soil nematode tropic groups and ecological indices. Sampling time had an effect on soil nematode abundance, but only on three of the eight nematode ecological indices MI (maturity index of free-living nematode), CI (channel index) and EI (enrichment index). SR (species richness index) was highest in GL where plant species diversity was also high. The CI was the highest in BL among three land uses, which means the soil food web dominated, with fungal decomposition channels in BL. Soil nematode community structure and diversity was shown to be an effective and informative tool for analyzing ecological aspects of land use in black soil regions. The data are inconclusive as to whether the effect of land use on soil nematode parameters is direct, or indirect via inducing changes in soil physicochemical properties.     

Reflections on Plant and Soil Nematode Ecology: Past,Present and Future

The purpose of this review is to highlight key developments in nematode ecology from its beginnings to where it stands today as a discipline within nematology. Emerging areas of research appear to be driven by crop production constraints, environmental health concerns, and advances in technology. In contrast to past ecological studies which mainly focused on management of plant-parasitic nematodes, current studies reflect differential sensitivity of nematode faunae. These differences, identified in both aquatic and terrestrial environments include response to stressors, environmental conditions, and management practices. Methodological advances will continue to influence the role nematodes have in addressing the nature of interactions between organisms, and of organisms with their environments. In particular, the C. elegans genetic model, nematode faunal analysis and nematode metagenetic analysis can be used by ecologists generally and not restricted to nematologists.