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<p>Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic soil pollutant that disrupts essential soil functions mediated by nematodes. Nematodes are crucial soil organisms, and their abundance and interactions serve as bioindicators of soil health under Hg pollution. This study aimed to assess the effects of ecologically relevant Hg concentrations (0&#xa0;ppm, 1.25&#xa0;ppm, 2.5&#xa0;ppm, 5&#xa0;ppm) on the abundance and interactions of two bacterivorous soil nematodes, <i>Rhabditis</i> sp. and <i>Cephalobus</i> sp., over 10-, 20-, 30-, and 40-days using microcosms. Results showed <i>Rhabditis</i> sp. peaked at Day 20 in the control, with no significant&#xa0;differences observed across treatments. In contrast, <i>Cephalobus</i> sp. peaked at Day 30 but showed significantly lower populations at 2.5 and 5&#xa0;ppm Hg on Days 20 and 30, indicating lower tolerance to Hg. Interaction analyses revealed that <i>Cephalobus</i> sp. benefitted from <i>Rhabditis</i> sp. in control conditions, suggesting commensal facilitation, which was absent at higher Hg concentrations. These findings demonstrate that increased Hg levels affect nematode fitness and interactions, impacting soil ecosystem functions and biodiversity.</p>

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Impact of mercury on fitness and interactions of soil nematodes Rhabditis sp. and Cephalobus sp. in microcosms

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月27日

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  • J. K. Cura,
  • J. G. Martinez

摘要

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic soil pollutant that disrupts essential soil functions mediated by nematodes. Nematodes are crucial soil organisms, and their abundance and interactions serve as bioindicators of soil health under Hg pollution. This study aimed to assess the effects of ecologically relevant Hg concentrations (0 ppm, 1.25 ppm, 2.5 ppm, 5 ppm) on the abundance and interactions of two bacterivorous soil nematodes, Rhabditis sp. and Cephalobus sp., over 10-, 20-, 30-, and 40-days using microcosms. Results showed Rhabditis sp. peaked at Day 20 in the control, with no significant differences observed across treatments. In contrast, Cephalobus sp. peaked at Day 30 but showed significantly lower populations at 2.5 and 5 ppm Hg on Days 20 and 30, indicating lower tolerance to Hg. Interaction analyses revealed that Cephalobus sp. benefitted from Rhabditis sp. in control conditions, suggesting commensal facilitation, which was absent at higher Hg concentrations. These findings demonstrate that increased Hg levels affect nematode fitness and interactions, impacting soil ecosystem functions and biodiversity.