Aging alters interspecific competition between two sympatric insect-parasitic nematode species.

ABSTRACT: Interspecific competition can vary depending on the stage, age, or physiological state of the competitors. Competitive ability often increases with age or size; alternatively, senescence can lead to a loss of viability and reduced competitive success. Differences between species in their age-specific competitive abilities can promote coexistence in the face of substantial niche overlap.We examined two sympatric species of nematodes (genus Steinernema) to determine whether their competitive relationship changes as a function of age. These obligately killing insect parasites are known for their broad host ranges and are transmitted from insect to insect via a juvenile stage propagule that is free-living in the soil. Here, we tested whether the two species differed in the effects of ag

SUBMITTER: Bashey F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4864284 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature