Nematodes of the Krakatau Archipelago, Indonesia: A Preliminary Overview

• Published in: Philosophical transactions. Biological sciences Vol. 322; no. 1211; p. 369
• Main Authors: R. Winoto Suatmadji, A. Coomans, F. Rashid, E. Geraert, D. A. McLaren
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Royal Society 19.12.1988
• ISSN: 0962-8436; 1471-2970
• DOI: 10.1098/rstb.1988.0132

Soil-borne nematodes associated with geographical and floristic formations were surveyed in each of the four islands of the Krakatau archipelago. At least 77 genera in 8 orders were found. The diversity in nematode taxa is greatest in Rakata, and is followed by that in Sertung, Panjang and Anak Krakatau, in that order. Genera of Araeolaimida, Rhabditida, Dorylaimida and Tylenchida occur in each island, but those of the Rhabditida and Dorylaimida generally account for the majority. Krakatau dorylaimids include nematodes of widely differing trophic relationships, ranging from genera known to feed on Protozoa, blue-green algae and fungi, to herbivores on flowering plants and predators. The microbivorous Rhabditida consist mainly of genera of Cephalobidae and are, among nematodes, probably pioneer colonizers. Among the Tylenchida fungivores appear to be ubiquitous, whereas plant-parasitic genera were possibly introduced by man. The occurrence of nematodes in each island and the biogeographical significance for nematodes of the Krakataus is discussed.