The importance of host ecology in thelastomatoid (Nematoda: Oxyurida) host specificity.
An experimental investigation of host specificity within the Thelastomatoidea is presented by means of a comparison of the thelastomatoids of two panesthiine cockroaches, Panesthia cribrata and P. tryoni tryoni, with those of other log-dwelling arthropods and those of leaf litter dwelling arthropods found near by. 145 log-dwelling and leaf-litter dwelling arthropods, representing adjacent ecological niches, were collected from Lamington National Park, Queensland, Australia. A high degree of thelastomatoid species sharing (19 incidences from 26 specimens) occurs between log-dwelling arthropods and the two cockroach species. No overlap in thelastomatoid fauna was observed between the log dwelling and leaf-litter dwelling groups. Our results suggest that host specificity of thelastomatoids is largely dictated by host ecology.
Jex
Aaron R
AR
School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia. aaronrjex@hotmail.com
Schneider
Margaret A
MA
Cribb
Thomas H
TH