Olfaction shapes host-parasite interactions in parasitic nematodes.

ABSTRACT: Many parasitic nematodes actively seek out hosts in which to complete their lifecycles. Olfaction is thought to play an important role in the host-seeking process, with parasites following a chemical trail toward host-associated odors. However, little is known about the olfactory cues that attract parasitic nematodes to hosts or the behavioral responses these cues elicit. Moreover, what little is known focuses on easily obtainable laboratory hosts rather than on natural or other ecologically relevant hosts. Here we investigate the olfactory responses of six diverse species of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) to seven ecologically relevant potential invertebrate hosts, including one known natural host and other potential hosts collected from the environment. We show that EPNs respond diffe

SUBMITTER: Dillman AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3435218 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature