Influence of symbiotic and non-symbiotic bacteria on pheromone production in Steinernema nematodes (Nematoda, Steinernematidae)

Abstract

In this study, we assessed the effect of symbiotic (cognate and non-cognate) and non-symbiotic bacteria on ascaroside production of first-generation adults in two Steinernema spp.: S. carpocapsae All strain and S. feltiae SN strain. Each nematode species was reared under three bacterial scenarios: a) cognate symbiotic, b) non-cognate symbiotic strain, and c) non-cognate symbiotic species. Our results showed S. carpocapsae produced four quantifiable ascaroside molecules: asc-C5, asc-C6, asc-C7, and asc-C11. Whereas, in S. feltiae only three molecules were detected: asc-C5, asc-C7 and asc-C11. Bacterial conditions did not significantly affect the quantity of the secreted ascarosides, in first generation adults of S carpocapsae. However, in S. feltiae, Xenorhabdus nematophila All strain influenced the production of two ascaroside molecules asc-C5 and asc-C11.