Abstract:
Free-living nematodes are well-recognized as an abundant and ubiquitous component of benthic communities in inland waters. Compelling evidence from soil and marine ecosystems has highlighted the importance of nematodes as trophic intermediaries between microbial production and higher trophic levels. However, the paucity of empirical evidence of their role in freshwater ecosystems has hampered their inclusion in our understanding of freshwater food web functioning. This literature survey provides an overview of research efforts in the field of freshwater nematode ecology and of the complex trophic interactions between free-living nematodes and microbes, other meiofauna, macro-invertebrates, and fishes. Based on an analysis of the relevant literature and an appreciation of the potential of emerging approaches for the evaluation of nematode trophic ecology, we point out research gaps and recommend relevant directions for further research. The latter include (i) interactions of nematodes with protozoans and fungi; (ii) nonconsumptive effects of nematodes on microbial activity and the effects of nematodes on associated key ecosystem processes (decomposition, primary production); and (iii) the feeding selectivity and intraspecific feeding variability of nematodes and their potential impacts on the structure of benthic communities.
摘要:
自由生活的线虫被公认为内陆水域底栖群落的丰富和无处不在的组成部分。来自土壤和海洋生态系统的有力证据强调了线虫作为微生物生产和较高营养水平之间的营养中介的重要性。然而,缺乏关于它们在淡水生态系统中作用的经验证据,阻碍了它们纳入我们对淡水食物网功能的理解。本文献调查概述了淡水线虫生态学领域的研究工作以及自由生活的线虫与微生物之间复杂的营养相互作用,其他meiofauna,宏观无脊椎动物,和鱼。基于对相关文献的分析和对线虫营养生态学评估的新兴方法的潜力的认识,我们指出了研究差距,并为进一步的研究推荐了相关方向。后者包括(i)线虫与原生动物和真菌的相互作用;(ii)线虫对微生物活性的非消耗性影响以及线虫对相关关键生态系统过程的影响(分解,初级生产);(iii)线虫的摄食选择性和种内摄食变异性及其对底栖群落结构的潜在影响。