Question

Do nematodes eat bacteria?

Answer 1

Nematoda:

1. Members of this phylum are commonly known as round worms, thread worms or pin worms.
2. Most of the members are parasites.
3. These are triploblastic animals, having a tissue level of organisation.
4. They can be aquatic, terrestrial, free living or parasitic animals.
5. They have a straight digestive system which runs throughout the length of the body.
6. Respiratory and circulatory systems are absent and the respiration is anaerobic.
7. Sexes are separate and reproduction is sexual.
8. Males are smaller than females.
9. Fertilization is internal.
10. Example - Ascaris, Wuchereria

Nematodes and bacteria:

1. Nematodes feed on bacteria, fungi, algae, and on other nematodes.
2. In nature, the nematode and bacteria are mutualistic partners that together parasitize the larvae of multiple arthropod species.
3. The nematode houses the bacteria in a gut receptacle.
4. When nematodes eat bacteria or fungi, ammonium (NH4+) is released because bacteria and fungi contain much more nitrogen than the nematodes require.
5. Hence, Like protozoa, nematodes are important in mineralizing, or releasing, nutrients in plant-available forms.