Extremely Sensitive Thermotaxis of the Nematode Meloidogyne incognita

Authors

  • Marc Pline
  • James A. Diez
  • David B. Dusenbery

Abstract

Eggs of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita were acclimated to 23 C. Newly hatched second-stage juveniles migrated toward higher temperatures when placed in shallow thermal gradients averaging 23 C. The threshold gradient for this response was below 0.001 C/cm, with a best estimate of 4 x 10[sup-][sup4] C/cm. Calculations of physical limitations on thermotaxis indicate that this sensitivity is well within the limits of what is physically possible. Key words: behavior, Meloidogyne incognita, root-knot nematode, temperature, thermotaxis, threshold.

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Published

1988-10-15

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Section

Articles