Carcharolaimus banaticus

Carcharolaimus banaticus Krnjaić & Loof, 1975 was described from the Serbian region Banat. This relatively rare soil inhabiting species (males unknown) has been found so far in Europe (Hungary, Serbia, Spain & The Netherlands) and Asia (India). In the Netherlands this species can be found in coastal dune sand.

The genus Carcharolaimus Thorne, 1939 is characterized by the presence of a short spear (odontostyle), strongly offset lip region and a basket-shaped mouth cavity, provided of with 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.

 

More pictures of Carcharolaimus:

Carcharolaimus: lip region
Carcharolaimus: lip region

More pictures of Carcharolaimus banaticus:

Carcharolaimus banaticus: female body
Carcharolaimus banaticus: female body
Carcharolaimus banaticus: offset lip region with sclerotized basket-shaped mouth cavity
Carcharolaimus banaticus: offset lip region with sclerotized basket-shaped mouth cavity
Carcharolaimus banaticus: lip region with odontostyle and guiding ring
Carcharolaimus banaticus: lip region with odontostyle and guiding ring
Carcharolaimus banaticus: lip region wth odontostyle and guiding ring
Carcharolaimus banaticus: lip region wth odontostyle and guiding ring
Carcharolaimus banaticus: pharynx-intestine region
Carcharolaimus banaticus: pharynx-intestine region
Carcharolaimus banaticus: cuticle with glandular bodies
Carcharolaimus banaticus: cuticle with glandular bodies
Carcharolaimus banaticus: tail region with anal opening
Carcharolaimus banaticus: tail region with anal opening

(Click on the pictures for an enlargement, © Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Nematology/Pictures: Hanny van Megen)