Anhydrobiosis in nematodes: Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism during dehydration

Abstract

Abstract 1. Changes in the chemical composition of pellets of the nematode Aphelenchus avenae were studied as the worms experienced evaporative water loss during 72 hours at 97% RH. 2. Lipid content declines rapidly during the first 24 hours, and decreases to about 60% of the original by the end of 72 hours. 3. Glycogen content declines to about 50% of original by the end of 24 hours, and to 10% of original by 72 hours. 4. Glucose content remains constant. 5. Glycerol and trehalose contents both increase rapidly, reaching about 700% of the 24‐hour content by the end of 72 hours, in each case. 6. Strong correlations between survival in dry air and glycerol and trehalose contents were observed.