Field results show that the free-living marine nematode Chromadorita tenuis is one of several benthic representatives inhabiting submerged macrophytes, at least during the growth period of the vegetation. In fact, C. tenuis is a phytal species. Laboratory experiments reveal that it is phyto-chemically attracted to submerged macrophytes; this causes the nematode to swim from the benthos to the surface of the submerged plants. Such behavior conveys to C. tenuis an advantage over its benthic sister species C. fennica in its capacity to exploit the environment. |
