Classification of Wild Isolate Nematode Strains Using Classical Systematics and Molecular Sequencing

Abstract

Nematode worms account for the vast majority of the animals in the biosphere.  They are critically important to public health and agriculture, reside in virtually all ecosystems, and are extremely diverse. To investigate nematode morphological diversity, three soil nematode species isolated in the wild where characterized (strains EM435, AF8130 and AF7340). These isolates were examined using differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We used both classical systematics of the phenotypic data obtained from microscopy and phylogenetic evidence of ribosomal RNA sequencing data to classify these isolates.  Data obtained confirmed strain EM435 to be a member of order Rhabditida, genus Oscheius, evidence was consistent with strain AF8130 belonging to the species Pristionchus pacificus, and the previously unclassified strain AF7340 was found to be a member of order Rhabditida, genus Oscheius.