Abstract
Pleurotus species are said to be nematophagous because they paralyze and consume some bacterial-feeding nematodes. It has never been clear whether that means all nematodes. Here we tested thirteen bacterial-feeding nematode species: seven of family Rhabditidae, three of Cephalobidae (one with three populations), two of Panagrolaimidae, and one of Diplogastridae. Nematodes interacted on water agar with toxin-producing isolates of Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quél. and Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm. Of the thirteen species, nine were susceptible to P. pulmonarius (all individuals were paralyzed) but four (four populations of two cephalobid species, one rhabditid, and one panagrolaimid) survived exposure to P. pulmonarius. The resistant four species not only survived but multiplied their numbers by consuming P. pulmonarius. A similar trend was observed with nematodes interacting with P. ostreatus; however, six species were resistant to P. ostreatus. Interestingly, four of these six species were susceptible to P. pulmonarius, and interactions overall were differential. Pleurotus species are nematophagous toward some nematodes but are also consumed by others in three of the four families assayed. Species-specific interactions point to the need for studies of the host ranges of both “nematophagous” fungi and “fungivorous” nematodes, especially if they are to be used for biological control.
Highlights
Nematodes are roundworms, generally microscopic, that include parasites of animals and plants as well as beneficial species
Pleurotus ostreatus was isolated from mushrooms purchased at a local grocery store; the identity of this species was confirmed morphologically
Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pulmonarius are very similar, but P. pulmonarius grows on conifer wood in the Pacific Northwest and fruits in the spring [20]
Summary
Generally microscopic, that include parasites of animals and plants as well as beneficial species. Killing parasites has become problematic as resistance has developed to many previously useful therapeutic chemicals [1]. Biocontrol agents of nematodes may provide less toxic and more sustainable control with more varied and complex mechanisms that are harder for nematodes to resist. The predatory consumer could be another invertebrate, such as a mite [2], or bacteria, such as Bacillus thuringiensis employing a toxin [3] or Chryseobacterium nematophagum producing enzymes [4], or a fungus. Reviews of the subject frequently focus on the trapping and feeding mechanisms employed by nematophagous fungi [5]. Others focus on the diversity [6], and phylogenetic
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