Acrobeloides bodenheimeri		Contents		Rev 04/10/2006
		Classification		Hosts
		Morphology and Anatomy		Life Cycle
Return to Acrobeloides Menu		Economic Importance		Damage
		Distribution		Management
Return to Cephalobidae Menu		Feeding		References
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Classification:

      Rhabditida
       Cephalobina
        Cephaloboidea

          Cephalobidae

      Acrobeloides bodenheimeri
     

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Morphology and Anatomy:

photomicrographs by Howard Ferris and Sam Woo, UC Davis	Lip region with projecting, rounded probolae. Stoma wall often appears distinctly separated into thickened component regions called rhabdions. Cheilostom wide, by a funnel-shaped or narrow posterior part.

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Distribution:

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Economic Importance:

Like other bacterivore nematodes, A. bodenheimeri spreads bacteria to new resources.  At low nematode population levels, the beneficial effect of this "bacterial farming" on the bacterial population may exceed the negative effect of consumption of bacteria by the nematodes.  "Bacterial farming" is the product of surface contamination of nematodes by bacteria and up to 40% survival of passage through the digestive tract by bacteria.  One might argue that the phenomenon is mutually beneficial to both the bacteria (increased access to resources) and the nematodes (increased availability of food).  If it were not mutually beneficial, there might be selection for more efficient digestion of bacteria by the nematodes.

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Feeding:

 Bacteria    

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Hosts:

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Life Cycle:

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Damage:

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Management:

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References:

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Copyright © 1999 by Howard Ferris.
Revised: April 10, 2006.