A FREE-LIVING PANAGROLAIMUS SP FROM ARMENIA CAN SURVIVE IN ANHYDROBIOSIS FOR 8.7 YEARS

Although the ability of plant-parasitic nematodes to survive in a dehy drated or anhydrobiotic state for long periods of time has been well d ocumented, the ability of free-living nematodes has not. Here we repor t on the survival of a free-living nematode, Panagrolaimus sp., from A rmenia 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.