Capture, colonization and feeding mechanisms used by parasites and predators of nematodes

Capture, colonization and feeding mechanisms used by parasites and predators of nematodes. Soil inhabitants have a paramount role in the structure and nutrients cycle of ecosystems, especially nematodes, which are abundant and functionally diverse. Because some nematode taxa cause diseases in plants, most studies are focused on agriculture, thus, it is of ecological relevance to understand the groups of soil organisms that prey or parasite nematodes. The aim of this review is to discuss about the mechanisms of capture, colonization and feeding, that natural foes of nematodes apply; especially bacteria, fungi, other nematodes, microarthropods and tardigrades, which are predators and parasites of nematodes. Some rhizospheric bacteria synthetize toxic molecules that kill nematodes whereas nematophagous fungi can predate, endoparasite, ovicide, produce toxins and make special devices to trap nematodes. Furthermore, predatory nematodes use three different feeding mechanisms: species form order Mononchida cut their prays or consume them entirely, species from order Diplogasterida cut and suction their content, while species form Dorylaimida and Aphelenchida use a stylet to punch and suction. Microarthropods like collembola use their maxillary, whereas mites use their chelicera to grab, crush and chew prays. Lastly, tardigrades can devour entire nematodes. Knowing the strategies of parasites and predators of nematodes complements the research of agriculturally significant pathogens and contributes to the comprehension of the complexity of soil food webs.