Predatory soil nematodes (Nematoda: Mononchida) in major land-use types across Ireland

Abstract

The distribution of predatory soil nematodes (Mononchida) across Europe is well described. However, in Ireland knowledge of mononchids is limited to a single study. The CréBeo project was the first systematic survey of soil biodiversity in the major land-use types across the Republic of Ireland. Nematodes were sampled from 61 locations with an extensive geographical spread including arable, pasture, broadleaf forest, coniferous plantation, rough grazing and peatland sites. This study resulted in 11 first records of mononchid species from Ireland (of which 2 are new records for Britain and Ireland). We discuss the mononchid species found and aspects of their distribution across major land uses.

Keywords:

• Anatonchus sympathicus
• biodiversity
• Jensenonchus sphagni
• species distribution
• Tigronchoides ginglymodontus

Acknowledgements

We thank Peter Mullin, Christina Hazard, Dillon Finan, Bas Boots and Fintan Bracken for assistance in field sampling, and members of the Soil-C team (University College Cork) for provision of soils data. This study was funded by the Environmental ERDTI Programme 2000–2006, financed by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and administered on behalf of the Department of Environment and Local Government by the Environmental Protection Agency (“CréBeo: Baseline data, response to pressures, functions and conservation of keystone micro- and macro-organisms in Irish soils”, 2005-S-LS-8).