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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Urbana, Illinois » Soybean/maize Germplasm, Pathology, and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #219876

Title: Bacterial endosymbionts of plant-parasitic nematodes

Author
item ATIBALENTJA, N - UNIV. OF ILLINOIS
item Noel, Gregory

Submitted to: Symbiosis
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2008
Publication Date: 6/1/2008
Citation: Atibalentja, N., Noel, G.R. 2008. Bacterial endosymbionts of plant-parasitic nematodes. Symbiosis. 46(2):87-93.

Interpretive Summary: Several groups of bacteria have been reported as endosymbionts of various species of nematodes. Some of these bacteria are vectored by nematodes and are integral to the morbidity of diseases of human such as elephantiasis and river blindness. Similarly, there is a second endosymbiotic relationship with bacteria and nematodes used in biological control of insects. The third type of symbioses of bacteria and nematodes is found in plant-parasitic nematodes. One genus of these bacteria, Pasteuria, is associated with biological control of important plant-parasitic nematodes such as root-knot (Meloiodgyne) and cyst nematode genera Globodera (potato cyst nematode) and Heterodera (soybean cyst nematode). Another genus Paenicardinium was recently described by this program and was shown to infect eggs and sperms of soybean cyst nematode. However, affects on reproduction and numbers of nematodes has not been studied thus far. Another group of bacteria that attack nematodes are species of Xiphinematobacter that may affect the sex ratio of the nematode species they attack. This paper is the most up to date review of bacteria symbiotic with plant-parasitic nematodes and also contains new research results that provide for the most extensive and recent phylogenetic tree of the several species of Pasteuria. Other scientists will find this is very important in being able to understand the biology and to identify bacteria within this group of potential biological control organisms.

Technical Abstract: Several groups of bacteria have been reported as endosymbionts of various orders of nematodes including the filarial nematodes (Brugia malayi, Wucheria bancrofti and Onchocerca volvulus (Spiruida)), the entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema spp., and Heterorhabditis spp. (Rhabditida)), and plant-parasitic nematodes (Dorylaimida and Tylenchida). This paper presents a review of the research on the symbiotic associations of bacteria with plant-parasitic nematodes and the implications for biological control of these nematodes. Emphasis is given to our work with Pasteuria nishizawae (Firmicutes) and Candidatus Paenicardinium endonii (Bacteroidetes), both endosymbionts of the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines.