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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #289942

Title: Reproduction, physiology and biochemistry

Author
item PERRY, ROLAND - Rothamsted Research
item WRIGHT, DENIS - Imperial College
item Chitwood, David

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/29/2013
Publication Date: 10/17/2013
Citation: Perry, R.N., Wright, D.J., Chitwood, D.J. 2013. Reproduction, physiology and biochemistry. In: Perry, R.N., Moens, M., editors. Plant Nematology. 2nd edition. Wallingford, UK:CABI Publishing. p. 219-245.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This chapter summarizes fundamental knowledge and recent discoveries about the reproduction, physiology and biochemistry of plant-parasitic nematodes. Various types of reproduction are reviewed, including sexual reproduction and mitotic and meiotic parthenogenesis. Although much is known about the physiology and biochemistry of the musculature and nervous system in animal-parasitic nematodes and the microbivorous species Caenorhabditis elegans, information on these systems in plant-parasitic nematodes is confined almost completely to morphological details. The biosynthesis and catabolism of a large number of classes of compounds are reviewed, including amino acids, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates and others. Mechanisms involved in the survival strategies of some nematodes exposed to cold environments include the accumulation of trehalose; other survival strategies involve the formation of morphologically and biochemically unique developmental stages, such as dauer larvae. The complex hatching mechanisms of phytoparasitic nematodes and their frequent dependency on host or other environmental signals often maximizes the survival and infection of these important agricultural pests.