title: Social Networks of Educated Nematodes.
abstract: Entomopathogenic nematodes are obligate lethal parasitoids of insect larvae that navigate a chemically complex belowground environment while interacting with their insect hosts, plants, and each other. In this environment, prior exposure to volatile compounds appears to prime nematodes in a compound specific manner, increasing preference for volatiles they previously were exposed to and decreasing attraction to other volatiles. In addition, persistence of volatile exposure influences this response. Longer exposure not only increases preference, but also results in longer retention of that preference. These entomopathogenic nematodes display interspecific social behavioral plasticity; experienced nematodes influence the behavior of different species. This interspecific social behavioral plasticity suggests a mechanism for rapid adaptation of belowground communities to dynamic environments.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Citrus Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred, FL, 33850, USA.
authors.forename: Denis S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Willett
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA.
authors.forename: Hans T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Alborn
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Citrus Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred, FL, 33850, USA.
authors.forename: Larry W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Citrus Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred, FL, 33850, USA.
authors.forename: Lukasz L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Stelinski
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D004777:Environment; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D007858:Learning; D008568:Memory; D009348:Nematoda / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds