Species richness, distribution and genetic diversity of Caenorhabditis nematodes in a remote tropical rainforest.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In stark contrast to the wealth of detail about C. elegans developmental biology and molecular genetics, biologists lack basic data for understanding the abundance and distribution of Caenorhabditis species in natural areas that are unperturbed by human influence.

Methods

Here we report the analysis of dense sampling from a small, remote site in the Amazonian rain forest of the Nouragues Natural Reserve in French Guiana.

Results

Sampling of rotting fruits and flowers revealed proliferating populations of Caenorhabditis, with up to three different species co-occurring within a single substrate sample, indicating remarkable overlap of local microhabitats. We isolated six species, representing the highest local species richness for Caenorhabditis encountered t

SUBMITTER: Felix MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3556333 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature