Detection of aVibriosp. by the Bacteriophagous NematodePelodera chitwoodi

摘要

Summary.Pelodera chitwoodiwas able to distinguish between aVibriosp. (food bacterium) andChromobacterium janthinum(non‐food bacterium), and between bacteria and mud. Nematodes migrated preferentially to theVibriosp. at various distances, temperatures, and pH values. Migration to food bacteria increased with an increase in bacterial concentration. Resting and dead bacteria failed to attract nematodes. Nematodes were able to detect a vibrio colony separated from them by a plastic barrier, and migrated to areas on agar containing exudate and dialysate from the vibrio. Both exudate and dialyzate contained 4 amino acids and 3 vitamins which attracted nematodes. However, attraction of nematodes to these compounds was not as strong as to metabolizing bacteria, indicating that additional compounds were also involve