A self-fertile species of Steinernema from Indonesia: further evidence of convergent evolution amongst entomopathogenic nematodes?

Parasitology. 2001 Feb;122(Pt 2):181-6. doi: 10.1017/s003118200100717x.

Abstract

More than 20 species of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema have been described; to date, all reproduce exclusively by cross-fertilization of male and female individuals. Steinernema sp. strain T87 from Indonesia was found to consist largely of self-fertile hermaphrodites. Progeny were produced by morphological females both in insects (Galleria mellonella) and in hanging drops of insect haemolymph inoculated with a single infective juvenile. Sperm were present in the oviduct of unmated morphological females. Approximately 1% of infective juveniles developed into males, and males were also present in the second generation where they constituted 1-6% of the population. Under the same conditions the related species Steinernema longicaudum strain CB2B displayed typical steinernematid reproduction: cross-fertilization and a 1:1 sex ratio. It is argued that the development of hermaphroditism in Steinernema sp. T87 represents convergent evolution with Heterorhabditis, the other major genus of entomopathogenic nematode.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Female
  • Fertility
  • Indonesia
  • Male
  • Nematoda / classification*
  • Nematoda / genetics
  • Nematoda / physiology
  • Reproduction
  • Sex Ratio