Nematoda
Nematodes are found in all habitats that are at least temporary in contact with water: as parasites they live in animals and plants; many non-parasitic species are inhabitants of sediments of rivers, lakes and the sea or are living in terrestric habitats: e.g. mosses and plant litter. Terrestric species are found in especially high numbers in the pore system of soils. As other microscopic “soil dwellers”, e.g. tardigrades (water bears) and rotifers, a nematode’s active life is bound to water.
The Section works taxonomically with soil-dwelling Nematoda and Tardigrada. Ecological research primarily concerns population dynamics and community ecology of nematodes, as well as interactions with resources and fauna within the soil food web.
Our research is assigned to the research areas Biodiversity Conservation and Taxonomy and Systematics.