The soil-inhabiting nematodes for Macquarie Island.

Abstract

The numbers of free-living nematodes in more than 40 Macquarie I. soils were recorded at three different times during the year. The principal conditions affecting the populations have been discussed and it is concluded that the numbers and types of algae and bacteria in the soil are of major importance since most of the nematode species identified are believed to feed on these groups of microorganisms. An attempt has been made to assess the relative importance of nematodes in processes of decomposition in Macquarie I. soils.