Incorporating spatial distribution into the nematode functional guild concept
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Date
2009-03-31T17:51:17Z
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Abstract
Functional guilds defined by nematode feeding types (bacteria-feeding, fungal-feeding, omnivore, predatory and plant-feeding) are further refined by colonizer-persister class (i.e. r- and K-strategists) which reflects life-history strategy. We compared spatial organization of nematode genera belonging to the same functional guild or colonizer-persister class to determine intraguild spatial distribution behavior. A total of 360 soil samples from turfgrass lawns were collected from three locations in each of the three Ohio cities, Wooster, Massillon and Canton, in July and October, 2007. The index of aggregation, ‘b’ of Taylor’s power law, was used to compare the spatial distributions of 21 nematode genera, six different functional guilds, five colonizer-persister classes, and total nematodes. The index of aggregation for the total nematodes was 2.0, which is the value of ‘b’ averaged over all the examined vertebrate and invertebrate taxa. The individual genera, the functional guilds and colonizer-persister classes had indices of aggregation that differed from 2.0. Functional guild as a group had higher ‘b’ value than individual genera, suggesting higher degree of aggregation at functional guild level. We found that ‘b’ value and colonizer-persister class is related. We conclude that the examination of spatial organization of nematodes may lead to further improvements in the practical value of nematodes as soil bioindicators.
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Soil nematodes, Taylor's power law, Spatial distribution, Functional guilds