Effects of native and exotic range‐expanding plant species on taxonomic and functional composition of nematodes in the soil food web

Due to climate warming, many plant species shift ranges towards higher latitudes. Plants can disperse faster than most soil biota, however, little is known about how range‐expanding plants in the new range will establish interactions with the resident soil food web. In this paper we examine how the soil nematode community from the new range responds to range‐expanding plant species compared to related natives. We focused on nematodes, because they are important components in various trophic levels of the soil food web, some feeding on plant roots, others on microbes or on invertebrates. We expected that range expanding plant species have fewer root‐feeding nematodes, as predicted by enemy release hypothesis. We therefore expected that range expanders affect the taxonomic and functional composition of the nematode community, but that these effects would diminish with increasing trophic position of nematodes in the soil food web. We exposed six range expanders (including three intercontinental exotics) and nine related native plant species to soil from the invaded range and show that range expanders on average had fewer root‐feeding nematodes per unit root biomass than related natives. The range expanders showed resistance against rather than tolerance for root‐feeding nematodes from the new range. On the other hand, the overall taxonomic and functional nematode community composition was influenced by plant species rather than by plant origin. The plant identity effects declined with trophic position of nematodes in the soil food web, as plant feeders were influenced more than other feeding guilds. We conclude that range‐expanding plant species can have fewer root‐feeding nematodes per unit root biomass than related natives, but that the taxonomic and functional nematode community composition is determined more by plant identity than by plant origin. Plant species identity effects decreased with trophic position of nematodes in the soil food web.     

Utility of nematode community analysis as an integrated measure of the functional state of soils: perspectives and challenges

Soil nematode communities have the potential to provide unique insights into many aspects of soil processes. Since most nematodes are active in soil throughout the year, they can potentially provide a holistic measure of the biotic and functional status of soils. In contrast to other soil microbial groups, representative samples of soil nematode communities are relatively easy to obtain. However, most current nematode ecological information has been survey-based or purely observational in nature, with a persistent focus on detailed taxonomic analysis of nematode communities. The development of a Maturity Index, MI, represents a significant advance in classifying communities and it continues to be refined and developed. But, to develop a wide capacity to use soil nematode information for diagnostic and predictive purposes, particularly for agricultural soils, we need a new, more robust approach, which does not require extensive taxonomic skill and includes more functional criteria. One of the key attributes of nematodes is the relationship between structural form (principally oesophagal feeding apparatus) and function (i.e. trophic group). Nematode form is readily determinable by direct observation of extracted nematodes and high-level taxonomic skills are not needed to assign the major community components to their different trophic and ecological groups. Consequently, the trophic structure of nematode communities is relatively easy to determine and can provide an integrated measure of the status of the other groups on which they feed. Similarly, population numbers and proportions of juveniles and adults can be readily determined, permitting calculation of relative biomass and dynamics of population growth. The size distribution of individuals within the community is likely also to be an indicator of the structural status of soils from a biotic standpoint. However, fundamental gaps remain in our understanding which limit our ability to relate differences in nematode communities to functional differences. There needs to be a greater emphasis on the development and experimental testing of hypotheses, a greater integration of nematology into soil-process related studies, and the development of a specific, soil-nematode related theoretical framework for understanding epidemiological and soil colonisation processes. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Molecular barcodes for soil nematode identification

Using a molecular barcode, derived from single-specimen polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the 5' segment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU) gene, we have developed a molecular operational taxonomic unit (MOTU) scheme for soil nematodes. Individual specimens were considered to belong to the same MOTU when the sequenced segment of 450 bases was > 99.5% identical. A Scottish upland Agrostis-Festuca grassland soil was sampled, using both culture-based and random selection methods. One hundred and sixty-six cultured isolates were sequenced, and clustered into five MOTU. From 74 randomly sampled individuals across the study site, 19 MOTU were defined. A subsequent sample of 18 individuals from a single subplot contained eight MOTU, four of which were unique to the single subplot sample. Interestingly, seven of these MOTU were not present in the culture-independent sampling. Overall, a total of 23 MOTU were defined from only 240 sequences. Many MOTU could readily be assigned to classical, morphologically defined taxonomic units using a database of SSU sequences from named nematode species. The MOTU technique allows a rapid assessment of nematode taxon diversity in soils. Correlation with a database of sequences from known species offers a route to application of the technique in ecological surveys addressing biological as well as genetic diversity.     

Changes in plant species richness induce functional shifts in soil nematode communities in experimental grassland

Background

Changes in plant diversity may induce distinct changes in soil food web structure and accompanying soil feedbacks to plants. However, knowledge of the long-term consequences of plant community simplification for soil animal food webs and functioning is scarce. Nematodes, the most abundant and diverse soil Metazoa, represent the complexity of soil food webs as they comprise all major trophic groups and allow calculation of a number of functional indices.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We studied the functional composition of nematode communities three and five years after establishment of a grassland plant diversity experiment (Jena Experiment). In response to plant community simplification common nematode species disappeared and pronounced functional shifts in community structure occurred. The relevance of the fungal energy channel was higher in spring 2007 than in autumn 2005, particularly in species-rich plant assemblages. This resulted in a significant positive relationship between plant species richness and the ratio of fungal-to-bacterial feeders. Moreover, the density of predators increased significantly with plant diversity after five years, pointing to increased soil food web complexity in species-rich plant assemblages. Remarkably, in complex plant communities the nematode community shifted in favour of microbivores and predators, thereby reducing the relative abundance of plant feeders after five years.

Conclusions/Significance

The results suggest that species-poor plant assemblages may suffer from nematode communities detrimental to plants, whereas species-rich plant assemblages support a higher proportion of microbivorous nematodes stimulating nutrient cycling and hence plant performance; i.e. effects of nematodes on plants may switch from negative to positive. Overall, food web complexity is likely to decrease in response to plant community simplification and results of this study suggest that this results mainly from the loss of common species which likely alter plant – nematode interactions.     

Nitrogen Addition Regulates Soil Nematode Community Composition through Ammonium Suppression

Nitrogen (N) enrichment resulting from anthropogenic activities has greatly changed the composition and functioning of soil communities. Nematodes are one of the most abundant and diverse groups of soil organisms, and they occupy key trophic positions in the soil detritus food web. Nematodes have therefore been proposed as useful indicators for shifts in soil ecosystem functioning under N enrichment. Here, we monitored temporal dynamics of the soil nematode community using a multi-level N addition experiment in an Inner Mongolia grassland. Measurements were made three years after the start of the experiment. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the mechanisms regulating nematode responses to N enrichment. Across the N enrichment gradient, significant reductions in total nematode abundance, diversity (H' and taxonomic richness), maturity index (MI), and the abundance of root herbivores, fungivores and omnivores-predators were found in August. Root herbivores recovered in September, contributing to the temporal variation of total nematode abundance across the N gradient. Bacterivores showed a hump-shaped relationship with N addition rate, both in August and September. Ammonium concentration was negatively correlated with the abundance of total and herbivorous nematodes in August, but not in September. Ammonium suppression explained 61% of the variation in nematode richness and 43% of the variation in nematode trophic group composition. Ammonium toxicity may occur when herbivorous nematodes feed on root fluid, providing a possible explanation for the negative relationship between herbivorous nematodes and ammonium concentration in August. We found a significantly positive relationship between fungivores and fungal phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), suggesting bottom-up control of fungivores. No such relationship was found between bacterivorous nematodes and bacterial PLFA. Our findings contribute to the understanding of effects of N enrichment in semiarid grassland on soil nematode trophic groups, and the cascading effects in the detrital soil food web.     

Measures of nematode community structure and sources of variability among and within agricultural fields

Whole nematode communities, extracted from soil samples taken from agricultural fields, were enumerated by taxonomic family and trophic group (i.e., bacterivores, fungivores, omnivores, plant-parasites, and predators) to evaluate nematode community structure as an indicator for monitoring ecological condition of soil. No differences were found in mixing treatments or methods of packing or shipping samples. However, extraction using Cobb's sifting and gravity method, followed by sucrose centrifugation, gave greater recovery of free-living nematodes than elutriation followed by sucrose centrifugation. Population means and variance of the sampled area were similar when sampled using different strategies for collecting soil samples within fieds, including several patterns, directions and repetitions of transects. Components of variation associated with ratios among the five trophic groups of nematodes and selected indices of community structure were quantified as variation among regions, among counties, among agricultural fields (2-ha area), among transects within agricultural fields, and within composite soil samples. The variance component for'within composite soil samples' was relatively large compared to the other components of variance. Variation within composite soil samples was less for maturity indices (based on life-history strategy characteristics), ratio of bacterivores to plant-parasites, sum of bacterivores and fungivores, populations of plant-parasites, and populations of bacterivores than for trophic diversity indices, populations of fungivores, populations of omnivores, populations of predators, or the ratio of fungivores to bacterivores. With a single composite sample per field, the ability to differentiate ecological condition of soils among fields within a region improved if the variance among and within fields exceeded the variance within composite samples. Given the variance components, power curves indicated that detection of a 10% change (with 0.8 power) in the ecological condition of soils within a region between two time periods would require sampling a minimum of 25 and 50 fields with one composite soil sample analyzed per field for the maturity and trophic diversity index, respectively. More than 100 fieldsper region would be required to detect temporal change in populations of individual trophic groups. Biplots of maturity indices, but not of trophic diversity or populations of individual trophic groups, identified clear differences among fields. Thus, maturity indices, which differentiated among sampling sites better and more efficiently than trophic diversity indices or measures based on populations of individual trophic groups, may be appropriate for use in a regional and/or national monitoring program.     

降水变化对高寒草甸土壤线虫群落的影响

土壤线虫是土壤食物网结构和功能的重要指示生物,研究降水变化对高寒草甸土壤线虫群落的影响可以了解高寒草甸地下食物网结构和功能对气候变化的响应。2015年12月在川西北高寒草甸设置了3个减水处理（-90%、-50%、-30%）、1个自然降水（CK）和1个增水处理（+50%）共5个降水梯度的实验,各梯度对应的年降水量依次为88 mm、442 mm、618 mm、883 mm和1325 mm左右。2020年9月对各处理样地的土壤线虫群落、植物和土壤环境因子进行了调查,用Baermann法分离土壤线虫,并对土壤线虫的群落组成结构、密度、多样性和生态指数等进行了分析。结果表明：（1）随年降水量的增加,土壤线虫群落组成结构和密度发生显著变化,多样性指数无显著变化;食真菌线虫相对密度显著降低,而植物寄生线虫相对密度显著增加;（2）当年降水量小于442 mm时,线虫群落密度及各营养类群线虫密度均显著下降;年降水量大于442 mm时,食真菌线虫密度显著下降,植物寄生线虫密度显著增加,以食细菌和食真菌线虫为主的营养结构转变为以食细菌和植物寄生线虫为主;（3）当年降水量大于883 mm时,土壤线虫群落密度无显著变化,但0-10 cm土层的通道指数小于50,土壤有机质的细菌分解途径功能得到增强,不利于土壤碳及养分累积;（4）年降水量变化及其引起的土壤含水量、全氮和pH变化是影响土壤线虫群落的主要因子。研究结果表明,如果未来气候变化导致青藏高原东缘变得更湿润,对高寒草甸生态系统的线虫群落密度及多样性影响较弱,但对土壤食物网结构及功能影响较强。     

SSU Ribosomal DNA-Based Monitoring of Nematode Assemblages Reveals Distinct Seasonal Fluctuations within Evolutionary Heterogeneous Feeding Guilds

Soils are among the most complex, diverse and competitive habitats on Earth and soil biota are responsible for ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration and remediation of freshwater. The extreme biodiversity prohibits the making of a full inventory of soil life. Hence, an appropriate indicator group should be selected to determine the biological condition of soil systems. Due to their ubiquity and the diverse responses to abiotic and biotic changes, nematodes are suitable indicators for environmental monitoring. However, the time-consuming microscopic analysis of nematode communities has limited the scale at which this indicator group is used. In an attempt to circumvent this problem, a quantitative PCR-based tool for the detection of a consistent part of the soil nematofauna was developed based on a phylum-wide molecular framework consisting of 2,400 full-length SSU rDNA sequences. Taxon-specific primers were designed and tested for specificity. Furthermore, relationships were determined between the quantitative PCR output and numbers of target nematodes. As a first field test for this DNA sequence signature-based approach, seasonal fluctuations of nematode assemblages under open canopy (one field) and closed canopy (one forest) were monitored. Fifteen taxa from four feeding guilds (covering ∼ 65% of the free-living nematode biodiversity at higher taxonomical level) were detected at two trophic levels. These four feeding guilds are composed of taxa that developed independently by parallel evolution and we detected ecologically interpretable patterns for free-living nematodes belonging to the lower trophic level of soil food webs. Our results show temporal fluctuations, which can be even opposite within taxa belonging to the same guild. This research on nematode assemblages revealed ecological information about the soil food web that had been partly overlooked.     

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.     

氮磷添加对黄土旱塬农田土壤线虫群落及能量结构的影响

为探究氮磷添加对黄土旱塬农田土壤线虫群落结构和微食物网中能量流动的影响,以中国科学院长武农业生态实验站长期施用氮磷肥农田土壤作为研究对象,选取6个处理,分别为:不施肥(CK),氮添加(N₁₂、N₂₄),磷添加(P₁₂、P₂₄),氮磷添加(N₁₂P₁₂),测定土壤理化性质,采用浅盘法分离线虫,分析线虫营养类群结构和生活史征,并计算线虫生态学指数,代谢足迹和食物网内部能量流动数值。结果表明:不同处理土壤的植物寄生线虫(Pp)比例显著高于其他类群(50.7%-66.4%),生活史为低营养级r策略者(cp2)的线虫类群比例也显著高于其他类群(68.1%-84.0%)。P₁₂处理的线虫丰度最高,为1147条/100 g干土,其次是P₂₄处理,为1100条/100 g干土。与CK相比,两种磷添加处理显著增加了香农多样性指数(H),提升了食真菌和捕食杂食线虫的代谢足迹,微食物网中拥有更高的能量通量,其余处理对线虫丰度和代谢足迹没有产生影响。与N₂₄处理相比,N₁₂处理显著增加了线虫群落的H,均匀度指数(J)和丰富度指数(SR)。N₁₂P₁₂处理增加了高营养级k策略者(cp4-5)的线虫数量,显著提高了结构指数(SI)。冗余分析表明,土壤中全磷和速效磷含量是影响线虫丰度和代谢足迹的主要环境因子。综上所述,适量氮添加提升了土壤线虫群落多样性和结构稳定性,过量氮添加会抵消这种积极影响。磷添加对线虫群落和代谢足迹产生积极影响并提高了土壤微食物网的能量通量,氮磷添加则为土壤线虫创造了适宜的生存环境。这一结果为黄土区农田土壤的施肥措施提供了科学依据。     

Long-term Disturbance Effects in the Nematode Communities of South Mississippi Woodlands

The effects of soil disturbance on the nematode community were assessed at 30 sites on the outer coastal plain of Mississippi, representing four ages since soil disturbance plus a control group of six undisturbed sites. Thirty-five taxa were encountered, dominated in abundance and taxonomic richness by plant and bacterial feeders. Nematodes were more abundant and more taxonomically rich in sites with a low slope and deep litter cover, distant from trees. Plant feeders were more numerous at sites with a dense herb cover, suggesting limitation by food availability. When sites were arranged as a chronosequence, herb cover, litter depth, soil organic matter, soil moisture, and tree canopy cover increased through time consistent with succession to forest. The abundance of most trophic groups decreased in the 10 to 20 years following disturbance and increased thereafter, a pattern repeated in taxonomic richness of plant and bacterial feeders. Fifty years after disturbance, nematode abundance had not returned to levels observed in control sites. These results suggest that nematode succession following soil disturbance is a gradual process regulated by establishment of aboveground vegetation. There was no evidence of dispersal limitation or facilitation by colonist nematode species.     

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.     

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.     

Higher taxa vs. functional guilds vs. trophic groups as indicators of soil nematode diversity and community structure

Biodiversity surrogates are often used in ecology to save money and time. One such widely used surrogacy method is the higher taxon approach, also known in the literature as taxonomic sufficiency. This approach has rarely been applied to microscopic organisms like soil microfauna, although there is a lack of detailed taxonomic knowledge regarding the latter. We tested taxonomic sufficiency for genus alpha and beta diversity, as well as for community structure of soil nematodes. We also tested whether the functional classifications of nematodes into functional guilds and trophic groups can serve as efficient indicators of nematode diversity and community structure. We used data from soil nematode communities from five different microhabitats (soil, soil moss, rock moss, low tree trunk moss and high tree trunk moss) in forested and non forested areas at five different stations (differing in elevation and aspect). Our results showed that both the higher taxon approach and the functional surrogacy approach could serve as reliable indicators of alpha and beta diversity. Furthermore, our community analysis of both taxonomic and functional composition identified that the variability at the finer scales, and namely the habitat structure, played the leading role in shaping nematode communities.     

An insight into the feeding ecology of deep-sea canyon nematodes — Results from field observations and the first in-situC feeding experiment in the Nazaré Canyon

Submarine canyon systems provide a heterogeneous habitat for deep-sea benthos in terms of topography, hydrography, and the quality and quantity of organic matter present. Enhanced meiofauna densities as found in organically enriched canyon sediments suggest that nematodes, as the dominant metazoan meiobenthic taxon, may play an important role in the benthic food web of these sediments. Very little is known about the natural diets and trophic biology of deep-sea nematodes, but enrichment experiments can shed light on nematode feeding selectivity and trophic position. An in-situ pulse-chase experiment (Feedex) was performed in the Nazaré Canyon on the Portuguese margin in summer 2007 to study nematode feeding behaviour. ¹³C-labelled diatoms and bacteria were added to sediment cores which were then sampled over a 14-day period. There was differential uptake by the nematode community of the food sources provided, indicating selective feeding processes. ¹³C isotope results revealed that selective feeding was less pronounced at the surface, compared to the sediment subsurface. This was supported by a higher trophic diversity in surface sediments (Θ⁻¹ = 3.50 ± 0.2) compared to the subsurface (2.78 ± 0.6), implying that more food items may be used by the nematode community at the sediment surface. Predatory and scavenging nematodes contributed relatively more to biomass than other feeding types and can be seen as key contributors to the nematode food web at the canyon site. Non-selective deposit feeding nematodes were the dominant trophic group in terms of abundance and contributed substantially to total nematode biomass. The high levels of ‘fresh’ (bioavailable) organic matter input and moderate hydrodynamic disturbance of the canyon environment lead to a more complex trophic structure in canyon nematode communities than that found on the open continental slope, and favours predator/scavengers and non-selective deposit feeders.     

Trait-mediated diversification in nematode predator-prey systems

Nematodes are presumably the most numerous Metazoans in terrestrial habitats. They are represented at all trophic levels and are known to respond to nutrient limitation, prey availability, and microbial resources. Predatory nematodes reside at the highest trophic level, and as such their feeding habits could have a major impact on soil food web functioning. Here, we investigate the effects of gender and developmental stage on the nematode body sizes in coarse and loamy soils. Besides Neodiplogasteridae, our predators are much larger than other soil-dwelling nematodes from their early developmental stage onwards. From juvenile to adult, the predatory Aporcelaimellus (Kruskal-Wallis P < 0.001), Dorylaimoides, and Tripyla (both P < 0.01) show great length increases during their developmental growth, in contrast to their possible prey (almost all P < 0.001). Less than 4% of the prey exceeds the length of the predatory adults, but more than 30% of the prey exceeds the length of the predatory juveniles. Potential body size ratios and some physical problems experienced by small fluid feeders attacking large prey are discussed in an attempt to summarize different prey-searching mechanisms and aggregative predatory responses in the soil system.     

Microbial diversity and heterogeneity in sandy subsurface soils

Microbial community diversity and heterogeneity in saturated and unsaturated subsurface soils from Abbott's Pit in Virginia (1.57, 3.25, and 4.05 m below surface) and Dover Air Force Base in Delaware (6.00 and 7.50 m below surface) were analyzed using a culture-independent small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene (rDNA)-based cloning approach. Four to six dominant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified in 33 to 100 unique SSU rDNA clones (constituting about 40 to 50% of the total number of SSU rDNA clones in the clone library) from the saturated subsurface samples, whereas no dominant OTUs were observed in the unsaturated subsurface sample. Less than 10% of the clones among samples from different depths at the same location were identical, and the proportion of overlapping OTUs was lower for the samples that were vertically far apart than for adjacent samples. In addition, no OTUs were shared between the Abbott's Pit and Dover samples. The majority of the clones (80%) had sequences that were less than 5% different from those in the current databases. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that most of the bacterial clones were affiliated with members of the Proteobacteria family (90%), gram-positive bacteria (3%), and members of the Acidobacteria family (3%). Principal component analysis revealed that samples from different geographic locations were well separated and that samples from the same location were closely grouped together. In addition, the nonsaturated subsurface samples from Abbott's Pit clustered together and were well separated from the saturated subsurface soil sample. Finally, the overall diversity of the subsurface samples was much lower than that of the corresponding surface soil samples.     

下辽河平原农田土壤线虫群落组成的季节变化

下辽河平原农田生态系统在管理过程中频繁的耕作、施肥以及农用化学品施用等引发了一系列问题, 如土壤退化、耕地数量减少以及生产力下降等, 不可避免地对土壤生物健康产生影响。为探究农田土壤人工管理对土壤生物群落动态的影响, 本研究在辽宁沈阳农田生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站开展了农田土壤线虫群落组成的季节变化研究, 对4个季节农田和废弃农田(对照)的土壤线虫群落组成、多度以及多样性等进行了比较分析。研究结果表明, 土壤线虫总多度在废弃农田中显著高于农田, 但季节间差异不显著。季节变化主要显著影响了自由生活线虫的多度, 其在9月达到最高; 季节变化也显著影响了属的数量, 其在非生长季的11月最低。与废弃农田相比, 农田管理显著降低了杂食捕食线虫和食真菌线虫的多度, 土壤食物网结构相对稳定; 而废弃的农田更易受到季节波动的影响, 土壤食物网也受到一定的干扰。     

Free‐living nematodes as prey for higher trophic levels of forest soil food webs

Nematodes are the most abundant invertebrates in soils and are key prey in soil food webs. Uncovering their contribution to predator nutrition is essential for understanding the structure of soil food webs and the way energy channels through soil systems. Molecular gut content analysis of consumers of nematodes, such as soil microarthropods, using specific DNA markers is a novel approach for studying predator–prey interactions in soil. We designed new specific primer pairs (partial 18S rDNA) for individual soil‐living bacterial‐feeding nematode taxa (Acrobeloides buetschlii, Panagrellus redivivus, Plectus velox and Plectus minimus). Primer specificity was tested against more than 100 non‐target soil organisms. Further, we determined how long nematode DNA can be traced in the gut of predators. Potential predators were identified in laboratory experiments including nine soil mite (Oribatida, Gamasina and Uropodina) and ten springtail species (Collembola). Finally, the approach was tested under field conditions by analyzing five mite and three collembola species for feeding on the three target nematode species. The results proved the three primer sets to specifically amplify DNA of the respective nematode taxa. Detection time of nematode DNA in predators varied with time of prey exposure. Further, consumption of nematodes in the laboratory varied with microarthropod species. Our field study is the first definitive proof that free‐living nematodes are important prey for a wide range of soil microarthropods including those commonly regarded as detritivores. Overall, the results highlight the eminent role of nematodes as prey in soil food webs and for channelling bacterial carbon to higher trophic levels.     

Nematodes associated with the rhizosphere of corn (Zea mays L.)

The research was carried out during 1999 in 8 different localities in Northern Italy. The nematodes were extracted from soil samples of rhizosphere of corn plants (Zea mays L.). The objective of the study was to investigate plant-parasite nematodes associated with maize. Some phytophagous genera are common pests of this crop and its yield-loss are often due to their high densities. In addition the nematode community was investigated for the genus composition, the trophic structure and its biodiversity. After the extraction from soil with a Bearmann funnel and Ludox centrifugation, nematodes were identified at genus level. They belonged to 22 families and 45 different genera. The genus Rhabditis, Pratylenchus, Helicotylenchus and Acrobeloides made up more than 70% of the total nematodes collected. The dominant trophic group was the bacterial feeders (61%) in particular Rhabditis, that was the most abundant and often the dominant one. Phytophagous represented in almost all fields more than 30% of the total nematodes. In all the examined sites biodiversity was quite low, being the H' values no more than 1.08. The data indicates a high level of disturbance. In some localities high densities of Helicotylenchus and Pratylenchus were found. While these nematodes have been identified as being potentially harmful for corn plants in our latitudes, especially in light soils, this research could give an indication for further monitoring studies regarding plant parasitic nematodes of corn crops. This data is particularly important considering that methyl bromide, often used in Italian agriculture against soil pathogens, has been banned since the beginning of 2005.