Abstract
Phototaxis is a well-known behavior in many animals. However, little is known whether nematodes living in soil recognize light. Meloidogyne incognita is one of the most important root-knot nematode pests in the world. It has a very wide host range and can infect almost all plant species. Here, we examined the phototactic response in M. incognita. Negative phototactic behavior was observed in M. incognita on an agar plate. Nematodes responded by avoiding white light and blue light more than red light on agar plates. Light avoidance behavior of the nematodes was examined by microscopic analysis, and the nematodes escaped from near ultraviolet light (365 nm) in only approximately 3.2 seconds. They also avoided blue (470 nm), blue-green (500 nm), and green (550 nm) light in approximately 4.1, 7.4, and 10.0 seconds, respectively. These results suggest that M. incognita exhibits negative phototaxis, in particular, responding efficiently to shorter wavelength of light.
Highlights
Phototaxis is a common behavior in many animals
We found that blue light triggered negative phototaxis more efficiently than red light in nematodes (Figure 2B, C)
These results indicate that M. incognita negatively responds to white and blue light more than to red light
Summary
Phototaxis is a common behavior in many animals. Animals living in darkness sometimes lack the ability to respond to light. 50% of marine nematodes are thought to have photoreceptors (McLaren, 1973). Oncholaimus vesicarius and Enoplus anisospiculus are reported to have negative phototaxis to blue light (Burr., 1979). It is not well known whether M. incognita living in soil recognize light
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
