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Interference between bacterial feeding nematodes and amoebae relies on innate and inducible mutual toxicity
Author(s) -
Neidig Nina,
Jousset Alexandre,
Nunes Frank,
Bonkowski Michael,
Paul Rüdiger J.,
Scheu Stefan
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
functional ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.272
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2435
pISSN - 0269-8463
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2010.01718.x
Subject(s) - biology , microfauna , protozoa , protist , flagellate , nematode , bacteria , bacterivore , predation , amoeba (genus) , predator , trophic level , ecology , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , biochemistry , fauna , genetics , gene
Summary 1. Protozoa and nematodes are important microfauna predators in soil and compete for the same food resource, bacteria. Therefore, inhibition of competitors may enhance food acquisition and fitness of individual predator species. 2. We investigated chemical based interference between the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii in a bacteria‐free gnotobiotic system. 3. Exoproducts of amoebae exhibited marked nematostatic activity, and repelled the worms. However, nematodes were able to reduce the activity of proteases and glycosidases, two enzymes playing an important role in the toxicity of A. castellanii . Exoproducts of nematodes also detrimentally affected amoebae by reducing growth and increasing encystation. 4. The results indicate that both protozoa and nematodes can inhibit each other, and that nematodes are also able to counteract the attack by protist competitors. Non‐trophic interactions appear thus as a new factor affecting the structure of predator communities in soil.