title: Gaseous Requirements for Postparasitic Development of Romanomermis culicivorax.
abstract: The development of postparasitic stages of Romanomermis culicivorax was studied under various concentrations of oxygen and carhon dioxide. The nematode developed poorly if only nitrogen was supplied; only one-third molted and all died eventually. In the presence of 5% CO - 95% N, development was normal; most nematodes molted and oviposited with respective mean developmental times of 32 and 50 d. Addition of 0.2% O stimulated development; molting and oviposition commenced at days 18 and 41, respectively. There was an additional stimulation of development by increasing amounts of O up to 1%, but concentrations greater than 1% produced no additional stimulation. Carbon dioxide was required for development after exsheathment under anaerobic conditions or O concentrations less than 1%. Oxygen or CO were not required for embryological development or egg hatch. It is suggested that post-parasitic stages function as facultative anaerobes.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Imbriani
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Platzer