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Cold tolerance of an Antarctic nematode that survives intracellular freezing: comparisons with other nematode species

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Abstract

Panagrolaimus davidi is an Antarctic nematode with very high levels of cold tolerance. Its survival was compared with that of some other nematodes (P. rigidus, Rhabditophanes sp., Steinernema carpocapsae, Panagrellus redivivus and Ditylenchus dipsaci) in both unacclimated samples and those acclimated at 5°C. Levels of recrystallization inhibition in homogenates were also compared, using the splat-cooling assay. The survival of P. davidi after the freezing of samples was notably higher than that of the other species tested, suggesting that its survival ability is atypical compared to other nematodes. In general, acclimation improved survival. Levels of recrystallization inhibition were not associated with survival but such a relationship may exist for those species that are freezing tolerant.

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Abbreviations

ATW:

Artificial tap water

RMP:

Relative medium potency

S 50 :

50% Survival temperature

T min :

Minimum temperature

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Brian Niven for advice on probit analysis and the following for the supply of nematodes and/or assistance: D. dipsaci, Sharyn Taylor (SARDI, Adelaide) material for our initial infections; P. davidi, Antarctica NZ for supporting our Antarctic studies; S. carpocapsae, Tracey Nelson and Trevor Jackson (CASC, Lincoln); Rhabditophanes sp., Paul De Ley, Manuel Mundo-Ocampo and Jim Baldwin (UCLA Riverside) and for other species supplied but not used in this study; P. rigidus, Theresa Stiernagle (Caenorhabditis Genetics Center, funded by the NIH NCRR). DAW would like to thank Rick Lee Jr., Juanita Constible, Michael Elnitsky and Marcia Lee for their help during the part of this study conducted during his study leave at Rick Lee Jr’s laboratory. This study was made possible by a University of Otago Research Grant and by a Fullbright NZ Travel Award to DAW and complies with the laws regarding animal experimentation in New Zealand.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand

    T. Smith & D. A. Wharton

  2. Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand

    C. J. Marshall

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  1. T. Smith
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  2. D. A. Wharton
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  3. C. J. Marshall
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Correspondence to D. A. Wharton.

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Communicated by I.D. Hume.

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Smith, T., Wharton, D.A. & Marshall, C.J. Cold tolerance of an Antarctic nematode that survives intracellular freezing: comparisons with other nematode species. J Comp Physiol B 178, 93–100 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-007-0202-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-007-0202-3

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