Carcharolaimus banaticus

Carcharolaimus banaticus is a remarkable nematode which is easily distinguished from other nematode species. Yet, it is remarkable that the species has not been found until 1976, the reason is, that Carcharolaimus inhibits dune sand: a habitat which has been less frequently sampled than agricultural soils. Carcharolaimus is characterized by the presence of a spear and a basket-shaped mouth cavity, provided of ribs. We assume that it feeds on other soil fauna. Carcharolaimus withstands dehydration very well. It has been found in drifting sand and, after addition of water, it became active. A typical example of a nematode dispersed by wind.