Biology Of Nematodes

The Biology of Nematodes synthesizes knowledge of the biology of free-living, plant-parasitic, and animal-parasitic nematodes. Contributed works by recognized researchers apply groundbreaking molecular techniques, many of which resulted from work on Caenorhabditis elegans, toward new approaches to the study of nematode worms. Topics covered include: ̈ Systematics and phylogeny ̈ Neuromuscular physiology ̈ Locomotion ̈ Sense organs ̈ Behavior ̈ Aging ̈ The nematode genome ̈ Survival strategies ̈ Immunology ̈ Epidemiology ̈ Structure and organization ̈ Gametes and fertilization ̈ Development ̈ Feeding, digestion, and metabolism

The Biology of Nematodes synthesizes knowledge of the biology of free-living, plant-parasitic, and animal-parasitic nematodes. Contributed works by recognized researchers apply groundbreaking molecular techniques, many of which resulted from work on Caenorhabditis elegans, toward new approaches to the study of nematode worms. Topics covered include: ̈ Systematics and phylogeny ̈ Neuromuscular physiology ̈ Locomotion ̈ Sense organs ̈ Behavior ̈ Aging ̈ The nematode genome ̈ Survival strategies ̈ Immunology ̈ Epidemiology ̈ Structure and organization ̈ Gametes and fertilization ̈ Development ̈ Feeding, digestion, and metabolism

General Editor: Peter Calow, Department of Zoology, University of Sheffield, England The main aim of this series will be to illustrate and to explain the way organisms 'make a living' in nature. At the heart of this - their functional biology - is the way organisms acquire and then make use of resources in metabolism, movement, growth, reproduction, and so on. These processes will form the fundamental framework of all the books in the series. Each book will concentrate on a particular taxon (species, family, class or even phylum) and will bring together information on the form, physiology, ecology and evolutionary biology of the group. The aim will be not only to describe how organisms work, but also to consider why they have come to work in that way. By concentrating on taxa which are well known, it is hoped that the series will not only illustrate the success of selection, but also show the constraints imposed upon it by the physiological, morpho logical and developmentallimhations of the groups. Another important feature of the series will be its organismic orientation. Each book will emphasise the importance of functional integration in the day-to-day lives and the evolution of organisms. This is crucial since, though it may be true that organisms can be considered as collections of gene-determined traits, they neverthe less interact with their environment as integrated wholes and it is in this context that individual traits have been subjected to natural selection and have evolved.

Plant-parasitic nematodes are one of multiple causes of soil-related sub-optimal crop performance. This book integrates soil health and sustainable agriculture with nematode ecology and suppressive services provided by the soil food web to provide holistic solutions. Biological control is an important component of all nematode management programmes, and with a particular focus on integrated soil biology management, this book describes tools available to farmers to enhance the activity of natural enemies, and utilize soil biological processes to reduce losses from nematodes.

Plant-parasitic nematodes are among the most destructive plant pathogens, causing enormous losses to agronomic crops worldwide. This book provides an up-to-date review of research related to two of the most important nematode pests, root-knot and cyst nematodes. Chapters cover early plant-nematode interactions, identification of nematode proteins important in the establishment of nematode feeding sites, and classification of biochemical and signaling pathways significant in the development of specialized feeding sites in the host. The cellular and subcellular structures essential for the parasitic interaction are examined by light and electron microscopy. Modern techniques of gene expression analyses and genomic sequencing are poised to provide an even greater wealth of information to researchers, enabling them to develop and examine natural and manmade mechanisms of resistance to this important plant pest.

The offered volume intends to review the biological control theme of phytonematodes from several prospects: ecological; applicative as well as commercial state of the art; understanding the mode-of-action of various biocontrol systems; interaction between the plant host, nematodes’ surface and microorganism’s; candidates for biocontrol; extrapolation of the wide knowledge existed in another systems for understanding biocontrol processes: C. elegans as a model and lessons from other natural systems; and exploiting advanced genomic tools to promote understanding biocontrol processes and thereafter improve specific biological control agents.