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Abstract

Although nematodes have been studied for many years the main focus of the studies were either parasitic/ entomopathogenic or free-living nematodes. Very little is known about other forms of coexistence between nematodes and insects. In a long term project we examine the nematode family Diplogastridae and especially the genus Pristionchus. Pristionchus pacificus has been established as a model organism for comparison with the well known nematode model organism C. elegans. The whole genus Pristionchus seems to be associated with beetles and especially with scarab beetles. In contrast to entomopathogenic nematodes Pristionchus does not harm or kill its beetle but waits until the beetle dies naturally. After that the nematodes start feeding on the corpse and reproduce. During the last few years we were able to find 17 Pristionchus species. We analysed their phylogeny with molecular methods and keep them all in lab cultures for further studies.