Majdi Nabil, Traunspurger Walter
Department of Animal Ecology, Bielefeld University, Konzequenz 45, D-33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
J Nematol. 2015 Mar;47(1):28-44.
Free-living nematodes are well-recognized as an abundant and ubiquitous component of benthic communities in inland waters. Compelling evidence from soil and marine ecosystems has highlighted the importance of nematodes as trophic intermediaries between microbial production and higher trophic levels. However, the paucity of empirical evidence of their role in freshwater ecosystems has hampered their inclusion in our understanding of freshwater food web functioning. This literature survey provides an overview of research efforts in the field of freshwater nematode ecology and of the complex trophic interactions between free-living nematodes and microbes, other meiofauna, macro-invertebrates, and fishes. Based on an analysis of the relevant literature and an appreciation of the potential of emerging approaches for the evaluation of nematode trophic ecology, we point out research gaps and recommend relevant directions for further research. The latter include (i) interactions of nematodes with protozoans and fungi; (ii) nonconsumptive effects of nematodes on microbial activity and the effects of nematodes on associated key ecosystem processes (decomposition, primary production); and (iii) the feeding selectivity and intraspecific feeding variability of nematodes and their potential impacts on the structure of benthic communities.
自由生活的线虫是内陆水域底栖生物群落中数量丰富且分布广泛的组成部分，这一点已得到广泛认可。来自土壤和海洋生态系统的有力证据凸显了线虫作为微生物生产与更高营养级之间营养中介的重要性。然而，关于它们在淡水生态系统中作用的实证证据匮乏，这阻碍了我们将其纳入对淡水食物网功能的理解之中。这项文献综述概述了淡水线虫生态学领域的研究工作，以及自由生活线虫与微生物、其他小型底栖动物、大型无脊椎动物和鱼类之间复杂的营养相互作用。基于对相关文献的分析以及对评估线虫营养生态学新兴方法潜力的认识，我们指出了研究空白，并推荐了进一步研究的相关方向。后者包括：（i）线虫与原生动物和真菌的相互作用；（ii）线虫对微生物活性的非消耗性影响以及线虫对相关关键生态系统过程（分解、初级生产）的影响；（iii）线虫的摄食选择性和种内摄食变异性及其对底栖生物群落结构的潜在影响。
