In vitro culturing of the predatory soil nematode Clarkus papillatus

Abstract

Abstract Clarkus papillatus is a widely distributed predatory soil nematode and is of interest in the study of soil ecology, yet very little information exists on its in vitro culturing. In this investigation, an artificial environment was created to maintain C. papillatus for multi-generational studies. The mean number of C. papillatus increased significantly over time when starting the cultures with three adults per plate. Clarkus papillatus had a significantly higher median fecundity at 20, 25 and 28°C than at five other temperatures. Juvenile C. papillatus could not survive without adults in culture and, therefore, may require adult maceration of prey nematodes to survive in vitro.