IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF THE INTESTINE OF 15 BACTERIOPHAGOUS NEMATODES (NEMATODA, RHABDITIDA)

The intestine of the fifteen free-living Rhabditida belonging to three different families was studied using three different approaches : i) using three different axenic media, cultivation of all fifteen nematode species was attempted; ii) in vivo analyses were performed by using two vital stains and one fluorescent dye and by comparing staining patterns; iii) in vitro analyses was done using the intestinal markers acid phosphatase, esterase and the lectin of Ricinus communis II. Although the nematodes can be cultured monoxenically on the same bacterium, Escherichia coli, attempts to culture the fifteen nematode species on the same axenic medium failed. Distinct differences are observed between different areas along the intestinal tract by in vivo study using stains. Similar observations were made in vitro using the intestinal marker acid phosphatase and the binding pattern of Ricinus communis II. This was less evident using esterase as a marker, since considerable non-intestinal tissue staining was evident. The data obtained indicate considerable biochemical differences in the intestinal cells between the nematode species, even if the nematode species belong to the same family.