An Introduction to Nematodes: Ecological Nematology

About this book

Language: English

The ecology of nematodes is highly complex as nematodes are ubiquitous, existing in almost every environment. They are amongst the most abundant organisms in soils/sediments, and live both inside and on the surface of plants, mosses and lichens. In soils and sediments nematodes feeding on detritus, bacteria and fungi have a major role in nutrient cycling. Many animal and human parasites have highly adapted life strategies that involve periods of their life cycles spent in soil, and frequently require transmission through intermediate hosts. The series of lectures comprising this book innovatively presents a holistic, mechanistic approach to examining the interaction of nematodes with their environment. The nature, structure and function of ecosystems as experienced by nematodes are presented, together with patterns of population, succession, and ecosystem development. The interactions between different trophic groups and the role of nematodes in nutrient cycling are explained. Finally, details of nematode extraction, identification, culturing, and community structure analysis are provided that enable the reader to develop simple experimental approaches to examine various aspects of nematode ecology

Pensoft Series Parasitologica No 5

145x210

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