''Allodiplogaster sudhausi'' is a free-living
nematode
The nematodes ( or grc-gre, Νηματώδη; la, Nematoda) or roundworms constitute the phylum Nematoda (also called Nemathelminthes), with plant-Parasitism, parasitic nematodes also known as eelworms. They are a diverse animal phylum inhab ...
species in the
Diplogastridae
Diplogastridae, formerly Diplogasteridae, are a family of nematodes (roundworms) known from a wide range of habitats, often in commensal or parasitic associations with insects.
Description
Diplogastrid nematodes are characterized by a distinc ...
family. It was described in 2008 as ''Koerneria sudhausi'',
before being moved to the genus ''
Allodiplogaster
''Allodiplogaster'' is a genus of nematodes (roundworms) in the family Diplogastridae that currently includes about 35 described species.
List of species
''henrichae'' group
*''Allodiplogaster henrichae''
*''Allodiplogaster colobocerca''
*''All ...
'' in 2014. ''A. sudhausi'' is omnivorous. It predates on other nematodes, but can be cultured on ''
Escherichia coli'' OP50 bacterium on agar.
Mouth dimorphism
Like many other Diplogastridae, such as ''
Pristionchus pacificus
''Pristionchus pacificus'' is a species of free-living nematodes (roundworms) in the family Diplogastridae. The species has been established as a satellite model organism to '' Caenorhabditis elegans'', with which it shared a common ancestor ...
'', ''A. sudhausi'' displays
phenotypic plasticity, with a
polyphenism
A polyphenic trait is a trait for which multiple, discrete phenotypes can arise from a single genotype as a result of differing environmental conditions. It is therefore a special case of phenotypic plasticity.
There are several types of polyphen ...
in its adult mouth-form that leads to formation of one of two distinct stomas (mouth openings) of different dimensions.
The two morphs that differ in stoma dimension are termed stenostomatous (narrow-mouthed) and eurystomatous (wide-mouthed).
Cannibalism
''A. sudhausi'' has displayed
cannibalistic traits, with differences in behaviour observed between the stenostomatous and eurystomatous morphs.
Biocontrol
''A. sudhausi'' is a potential
biological control agent. It has been shown to feed on juveniles and eggs of the plant-pathogenic root-knot nematode ''
Meloidogyne javanica'' in vitro, and introducing ''A. sudhausi'' to ''M. javanica''-inoculated soil also reduced tomato root galling.
References
{{taxonbar, from=Q105803833
Diplogastridae
Animals described in 2008