Some studies on the predatory behaviour of Mylonchulus dentatus

Abstract

Nematodes belonging to the order Mononchida Jairajpuri, 1969 are predacious in habit and thus are important agents in the biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes. The majority of species are large and active, possessing well developed feeding apparatus. Although the source of food of these animals has not been fully studied, it is known that some species feed upon a variety of soil microorganisms including free-living and plant-parasitic nematodes (Cobb, 1917, 1924; Thorne, 1927, 1932; Mulvey, 1961; Banage, 1963). Recently Esser (1964), Esser and Sobers, (1965) and Nelmes (1974) have reviewed the predatory habits of mononchid nematodes. The work reported here refers to a study of certain aspects of the predatory behaviour of Mylonchulus dentatus Jairajpuri, 1970 (Table I) which commonly occurs in Aligarh soils along with a variety of soil microorganisms, predominantly populations of free-living and phytophagous nematodes.