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Behavioural Analysis of Nematode Movement

1975; Elsevier BV; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0065-308x(08)60319-x

2163-6079

Neil A. Croll,

Nematode management and characterization studies

This chapter presents the behavioral physiology of the nematode level of organization. Nematodes are generally considered to be a phylum or a class of the phylum Aschelminthes. Their exact status is debatable, but the nematodes are at a more complex level of organization than the coelenterates and platyhelminths and simpler than the coelomate groups: annelids, molluscs, and arthropods. The neuromuscular organization of nematodes is basically bilaterally symmetrical, but the amphids, photoreceptors, phasmids, deirids, and hemizonids are arranged perpendicularly to the dorsoventral direction of muscular contraction. The chapter discusses the nature of locomotory activity and reviews the relative contributions of exogenous and endogenous components in the integrated activities of nematodes. The main behavioral events investigated with respect to locomotion are hatching, moulting, feeding, and mechanisms of orientation. Many species of phytoparasitic nematode are observed feeding, and the mechanism of integrated feeding are discussed. Feeding in phytoparasites usually consists of active movement prior to contact, contact of the nematode head with the plant, reduced movement, head waving and spasmodic stylet thrusting, cessation of bodily waves, deliberate stylet thrusting and adoption of body posture, rapid bulb pulsation and ingestion, and end of feeding and movement away. Nematodes, as other organisms, may disperse in three main ways: by drifting in currents of water or air, by being carried on moving objects, or by swimming or creeping and thus, dispersing by their own efforts.