The Effect of Some Fatty Acids and ph on a sOil Nematode

Abstract

Observations are presented on the effects of fatty acid solutions on a Dorylaimid nematode, Dorylaimus sp. Formic, acetic, propionic, butyric and valeric acids in distilled water at nine concentrations ranging from 1 M to 0.001 M were exponentially toxic to the nematode which, however, was not affected by a 0.0001 M solution and considerably less so by sodium salts of the acids. Evidence was obtained that the undissociated acid molecule was the chief toxic factor. Formic acid was less toxic at any value while all the other acids were similar to each other in their effect. The acid solutions have no easily observable chemical effects on the protoplasm or the cuticle of the nematode.