Although the ability of plant-parasitic nematodes to survive in a dehydrated or anhydrobiotic state for long periods of time has been well documented, the ability of free-living nematodes has not. Here we report on the survival of a free-living nematode, Panagrolaimus sp., from Armenia in the anhydrobiotic state for 8.7 years. This Panagrolaimus sp. can be cultured and maintained readily and may provide a good system for studying anhydrobiosis in nematodes.
Keywords: Armenia; Panagrolaimus; anhydrobiosis; free-living nematode; survival.