SOMATOMETRIC CHARACTERS OF AN ANATONCHUS POPULATION (NEMATODA MONONCHIDAE) FROM GREECE: OBSERVATIONS ON ITS PREDATORY ABILITY

A population containing specimens belonging to Anatonchus genus collected along the edge of irrigation canals from Filippiada, Epirus (N.W Greece) is described and illustrated. The predatory ability and type of feeding against phytoparasitic free-living nematodes and larval specimens of insects (Curculionoidea: Coleoptera) are also showed. All observations were based on direct analysis of the gut contents in glycerine infiltrated specimens. The feeding type of its trophic activity was characterized by engulfing whole and intact prey, while in cases of large size nematode prey or larvae of insects, the piercing and content-sucking feeding type was observed. Several entire tylenchid and/or dorylaimid nematode species were observed in the digestive tract of Anantonchus sp. (75%). No evidence of preference for selecting its prey species was observed. Key Words: Greece, Mononchida, Predation, Potential Biological Control, Taxonomy