Predatory feeding behaviour in Pristionchus nematodes is dependent on phenotypic plasticity and induced by serotonin

The Journal of Experimental Biology
Martin WileckiRalf J Sommer

Abstract

Behavioural innovation and morphological adaptation are intrinsically linked but their relationship is often poorly understood. In nematodes, a huge diversity of feeding morphologies and behaviours can be observed to meet their distinctive dietary and environmental demands. Pristionchus and their relatives show varied feeding activities, both consuming bacteria and also predating other nematodes. In addition, Pristionchus nematodes display dimorphic mouth structures triggered by an irreversible developmental switch, which generates a narrower mouthed form with a single tooth and a wider mouthed form with an additional tooth. However, little is known about the specific predatory adaptations of these mouth forms or the associated mechanisms and behaviours. Through a mechanistic analysis of predation behaviours, in particular in the model organism Pristionchus pacificus, we reveal multifaceted feeding modes characterised by dynamic rhythmic switching and tooth stimulation. This complex feeding mode switch is regulated by the neurotransmitter serotonin in a previously uncharacterised role, a process that appears conserved across several predatory nematode species. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of starvation, prey size an...Continue Reading

References

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Aug 20, 2004·The New England Journal of Medicine·Peter J HotezShuhua Xiao
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Dec 5, 2006·Current Biology : CB·Ray L Hong, Ralf J Sommer
Mar 21, 2009·Genesis : the Journal of Genetics and Development·Benjamin SchlagerRalf J Sommer
Oct 16, 2010·Nature Reviews. Microbiology·Peter J HotezAlex Loukas
Nov 20, 2012·Angewandte Chemie·Neelanjan BoseFrank C Schroeder
Aug 1, 2014·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Vahan SerobyanRalf J Sommer
Dec 31, 2014·Development Genes and Evolution·Hanh WitteRalf J Sommer

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Citations

Jul 21, 2016·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Erik J Ragsdale, Nicholas A Ivers
Oct 19, 2016·International Journal for Parasitology. Drugs and Drug Resistance·Janis C WeeksJohn M Hawdon
Mar 24, 2017·Molecular Biology and Evolution·Bogdan SieriebriennikovRalf J Sommer
Mar 28, 2017·Current Opinion in Genetics & Development·Vahan Serobyan, Ralf J Sommer
Aug 1, 2019·Molecular Biology and Evolution·Linh T Bui, Erik J Ragsdale
Oct 3, 2019·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Eduardo MorenoRalf J Sommer
Jan 18, 2019·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Sophie RengarajanElissa A Hallem
Feb 8, 2020·Development Genes and Evolution·Ken-Ichi NakayamaMisako Okumura
Jul 8, 2020·Nature Protocols·Tobias TheskaRalf J Sommer
Nov 22, 2016·Evolution & Development·Cameron J Weadick, Ralf J Sommer
Sep 27, 2018·Frontiers in Genetics·Bogdan Sieriebriennikov, Ralf J Sommer
Mar 11, 2020·The ISME Journal·Nermin AkdumanRalf J Sommer
Aug 14, 2020·Molecular Biology and Evolution·Christian RödelspergerHendrik C Korswagen

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