Moulting in a Parasitic Nematode, Phocanema decipiens. V. Timing of Feeding During the Moulting Cycle

The use of marker dyes in the culture medium reveals that feeding behaviour in Phocanema cultured in vitro is restricted to two periods during the moulting cycle. One is short-lived and occurs after about 24 hr in culture, after the new cuticle has begun to form. There is no evidence of feeding between 36 and 96 hr in culture. The significance of this discontinuous feeding behaviour is discussed, particularly in the light of volume changes which can be expected to occur during the moulting cycle.