A study of the intestinal contents of some mononchs

Abstract

The intestinal contents of over one thousand specimens of thirty three species belonging to nine genera of the order Mononchida were analysed to determine their range and preference for prey. The study showed that mononchs feed upon tylenchs, dorylaims, mononchs and free-living saprophagous nematodes besides rotifers. Cuticular remains of al1 types including trophi of rotifers and other unidentifiable objects of prey were of frequent occurrence. Forty five percent of the predators had prey in their intestine. Feeding of different mononchs is polyvalent and predation aleatory. However, more predators 75% had free-living saprophagous nematodes within the intestine rather than tylenchs (45%) or dorylaims (42%). Pratylenchus, Hoplolaimus, Tylenchorhynchus, Tylencholaimus, Aporcelaimus, Thornenema, Iotonchus, Mylonchulus, Rhabditis, Acrobeloides and Chiloplacus were found most frequently in the intestine of different species of mononchs. Parahadronchus shakili appeared to be most active predator as 68 % of its specimens had prey in their intestine while Coomansus indicus was least active with only 21% having prey. Twenty percent predators were cannibals while 27% devoured mononchs belonging to other species/genera. Mylonchulus spp., and Iotonchus baqrii did not contain any prey or its remains in their intestine. None to eight prey could be present in the intestine of a single predator.