Shape-shifting worm fills niches of five species

• Autores: Michael Le Page
• Localización: New scientist, ISSN 0262-4079, Nº. 3057, 2016, pág. 11
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Their shapes are so different that they look like five different species. But genetic studies have shown single species of nematode worm, newly discovered inside figs, can develop into five distinct forms. It is a striking example of physical divergence without genetic divergence. Young Pristionchus nematodes hitch a ride to new figs on the wasps that fertilize the fruit. If one looks inside the fig soon after the wasps arrive, only one small form of the nematode can be found. It has a simple tube-like mouth for feeding on microbes. But the offspring of these colonists can develop into five distinct forms: two that feed on microbes and three larger ones that eat other worms. These have bigger mouths equipped with teeth.