Chemical Ecology of Nematodes

Abstract

Nematodes represent the most abundant group of metazoans on Earth. They utilize diverse chemicals to interact with conspecific organisms and are also impacted by compounds produced by other interacting heterospecific organisms. In the first part of this review we discuss how nematode-derived glycolipids modulate their behavior and development, as well as the interactions with other organisms. Furthermore, we provide a short overview about other secondary metabolites produced by nematodes that affect different life traits of freeliving nematodes. In the second part of this review we discuss how different bacteria-, fungi-, nematode-, and plant-derived chemicals such as volatile organic compounds, root exudates, and plant defenses regulate the interactions between entomopathogenic nematodes, their symbiotic bacteria, insect prey, predators, and plants.