Nematodes and the effect of seasonality in grassland habitats of South Africa

Girgan, Chantelle; du Preez, Gerhard; Marais, Mariette; Swart, Antoinette; Fourie, Hendrika

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Figures & Tables

Satellite image of Telperion Nature Reserve (South Africa) indicating the sampling locations associated with the open grassland, shrubland with rocky outcrops and riparian zone habitats.

The (A) total rainfall and (B) temperature (mean, minimum, and maximum) for the 90 days prior to each sampling event at Telperion Nature Reserve (South Africa).

Rarefaction curves illustrate the sample-based observed (solid line) and extrapolated (dotted line) Mau Tau richness of nematode genera at the open grassland (OG), shrubland with rocky outcrops (SRO), and riparian zone (RZ) habitats in Telperion Nature Reserve (South Africa). The shaded bands represent the 95% confidence intervals.

Log10(x + 1)-transformed nematode abundances (mean, minimum, and maximum) per trophic group at the open grassland (OG), shrubland with rocky outcrops (SRO), and riparian zone (RZ) habitats in Telperion Nature Reserve (South Africa). Bars with common superscript do not differ significantly (p > 0.05).

Maturity index 2-5 violin plot of values recorded during the studied seasons at the open grassland (OG), shrubland with rocky outcrops (SRO), and riparian zone (RZ) habitats in Telperion Nature Reserve (South Africa). The bold line within each plot indicates the median value, dashed lines are quartiles, minimum, and maximum are the bounds of the plot and data distribution is shown by plot shape outline.

Nematode faunal analysis indicating the food web status during the studied seasons at the open grassland (green), shrubland with rocky outcrops (orange), and riparian zone (blue) habitats in Telperion Nature Reserve (South Africa). Winter and Spring seasonal clusters are circled.

Redundancy analysis of the relationship between the response (nematode-based indices) and explanatory variables (factors: seasons and habitats; numeric variables: soil texture and total organic carbon). Measurements were taken during four consecutive seasons at open grassland (OG), shrubland with rocky outcrops (SRO), and riparian zone (RZ) habitats in Telperion Nature Reserve (South Africa).

Occurrence and abundance of bacterivores in 250 cm3 soil samples obtained from open grassland, shrubland with rocky outcrops and riparian zone sites in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga province, South Africa) as part of an ecological study that was conducted over four seasons from 2015 to 2016_

		Open grassland				Shrubland with rocky outcrops				Riparian zone
Family (functional guild)	Genus or Family	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn
Alaimidae (Ba4)	Alaimus	98.64 ± 91.33	17.73 ± 19.15	2.27 ± 11.07	12.73 ± 19.02	92.00 ± 57.07	21.50 ± 22.74	18.50 ± 22.61	57.50 ± 63.56	10.00 ± 14.14	22.00 ± 49.19	1.00 ± 2.24	0
	Amphidelus	0	0	0	0	0	0.51 ± 1.58	5.50 ± 7.62	5.00 ± 11.55	0	0	0	1.00 ± 2.24
Aphanolaimidae (Ba3)	Aphanolaimus	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.00 ± 2.24	0	0	0
Cephalobidae (Ba2)	Cephalobidae^a	0	13.18 ± 18.07	87.73 ± 192.33	113.64 ± 198.92	0	19.00 ± 45.26	32.00 ± 38.82	36.50 ± 45.03	0	0	3.00 ± 2.74	10.00 ± 14.14
	Acrobeles	122.27 ± 112.48	69.09 ± 103.46	36.82 ± 55.51	160.45 ± 192.57	51.50 ± 69.76	52.50 ± 123.52	18.00 ± 39.24	24.50 ± 36.40	3.00 ± 6.71	47.00 ± 64.58	32.00 ± 54.15	13.00 ± 16.43
	Acrobeloides	60.45 ± 41.44	20.45 ± 21.62	25.00 ± 53.06	23.64 ± 23.67	24.00 ± 43.83	66.50 ± 152.19	43.00 ± 103.98	21.50 ± 39.86	25.00 ± 30.00	52.00 ± 52.51	62.00 ± 107.62	63.00 ± 105.69
	Cephalobus	3.18 ± 9.02	42.27 ± 59.22	54.09 ± 47.21	97.73 ± 171.37	18.00 ± 50.01	64.50 ± 118.75	116.00 ± 272.01	63.50 ± 76.52	0	75.00 ± 148.66	58.00 ± 57.07	26.00 ± 28.59
	Cervidellus	0	8.64 ± 15.51	7.27 ± 15.55	7.73 ± 10.09	0	8.00 ± 15.67	3.50 ± 5.30	4.50 ± 6.43	0	50.00 ± 111.80	1.00 ± 2.24	5.00 ± 8.66
	Chiloplacus	20.45 ± 22.52	4.09 ± 6.25	3.18 ± 10.55	0.91 ± 3.02	13.00 ± 15.49	13.50 ± 17.49	2.00 ± 6.32	16.00 ± 44.02	60.00 ± 128.65	4.00 ± 8.94	1.00 ± 2.24	0
	Eucephalobus	0	0.91 ± 3.02	1.82 ± 4.62	0	0	121.00 ± 380.88	8.50 ± 16.34	5.50 ± 11.17	0	9.00 ± 20.12	167.00 ± 365.10	40.00 ± 61.64
	Heterocephalo-bellus	0	0	0	0.45 ± 1.51	0	0	0	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	0	0
	Seleborca	53.64 ± 90.11	57.73 ± 84.42	89.55 ± 186.83	57.73 ± 71.39	8.00 ± 22.01	18.50 ± 46.19	7.50 ± 6.35	14.50 ± 16.24	0	17.00 ± 30.33	6.00 ± 10.84	1.00 ± 2.24
	Zeldia	28.18 ± 32.96	35.45 ± 77.05	2.73 ± 5.18	13.18 ± 16.17	6.00 ± 7.38	8.00 ± 12.74	8.50 ± 13.75	4.00 ± 6.58	3.00 ± 6.71	22.00 ± 49.19	2.00 ± 4.47	4.00 ± 8.94
Chromadoridae (Ba3)	Punctodora	0	0	0	0	0	1.00 ± 3.16	0	0	9.00 ± 12.45	0	0	0
Chronogasteridae (Ba3)	Chronogaster	0	0	0	0.45 ± 1.51	0.50 ± 1.58	0	2.00 ± 4.83	0.50 ± 1.58	279.00 ± 509.20	12.00 ± 14.40	95.00 ± 212.43	28.00 ± 57.18
Cyatholaimidae (Ba4)	Achromadora	0	0	4.55 ± 15.08	0	0	0	0	0	9.00 ± 15.17	2.00 ± 2.74	18.00 ± 40.25	0
Diplogasteridae (Ba1)	Butlerius	0	0	0	0	1.50 ± 3.37	4.50 ± 14.23	0	0	3.00 ± 6.71	2.00 ± 4.47	0	0
Diplogasteroididae (Ba1)	Diplogasteroididae^a	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	14.00 ± 31.30	1.00 ± 2.24
Elaphonematidae (Ba3)	Elaphonema	8.64 ± 17.76	1.82 ± 4.62	8.64 ± 15.51	12.73 ± 42.21	6.50 ± 11.56	0	7.00 ± 22.14	1.50 ± 3.37	0	0	0	0
Mesorhabditidae (Ba1)	Mesorhabditis	0	3.18 ± 10.55	0	8.18 ± 27.14	0	12.50 ± 32.68	1.50 ± 3.37	2.00 ± 6.32	0	14.00 ± 21.91	2.00 ± 4.47	0
Metateratocepha-lidae (Ba3)	Euteratocephalus	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5.00 ± 8.66	0	0	0
Monhysteridae (Ba2)	Monhystera	1.82 ± 6.03	0	0	0	2.50 ± 4.86	2.00 ± 6.32	0	0	8.00 ± 13.04	4.00 ± 6.52	3.00 ± 4.47	6.00 ± 10.84
	Monhystrella	0	0	0	0	00		0	0	0	0	0	2.00 ± 4.47
Neodiplogastridae (Ba1)	Fictor	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.50 ± 1.58	2.00 ± 4.47	0	0	0
	Koerneria	0	0	0	0	2.00 ± 6.32	0	0	0	0	1.00 ± 2.24	3.00 ± 6.71	0
Odontolaimidae (Ba3)	Odontolaimus	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.00 ± 4.47	0	0	0
Osstellidae (Ba2)	Drilocephalobus	0	0	18.18 ± 50.71	37.73 ± 71.46	0	0	3.50 ± 4.74	12.00 ± 14.57	0	0	0	1.00 ± 2.24
Panagrolaimidae (Ba1)	Panagrolaimus	26.36 ± 25.31	15.00 ± 23.02	0.91 ± 3.02	17.27 ± 35.31	17.50 ± 14.19	17.50 ± 39.32	12.50 ± 23.83	4.00 ± 7.38	39.00 ± 39.12	15.00 ± 21.21	19.00 ± 21.33	6.00 ± 6.52
Plectidae (Ba2)	Anaplectus	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	0	0
	Ceratoplectus	0	0	0	0.91 ± 2.02	10.50 ± 33.20	4.50 ± 11.17	2.50 ± 7.91	11.00 ± 25.03	0	2.00 ± 4.47	0	0
	Plectus	5.45 ± 12.34	0	0	0	4.00 ± 12.65	0	1.50 ± 2.42	3.50 ± 11.07	4.00 ± 4.18	1.00 ± 2.24	2.00 ± 4.47	1.00 ± 2.24
	Wilsonema	3.18 ± 7.83	0.45 ± 1.51	0	1.36 ± 2.34	6.50 ± 10.55	1.50 ± 2.42	2.50 ± 5.40	6.50 ± 17.17	0	6.00 ± 13.42	1.00 ± 2.24	1.00 ± 2.24
Prismatolaimidae (Ba3)	Prismatolaimus	0.91 ± 2.02	0.91 ± 2.02	0.91 ± 3.02	3.18 ± 10.55	6.50 ± 11.80	7.00 ± 11.35	7.50 ± 13.99	7.00 ± 12.52	3.00 ± 2.74	5.00 ± 11.18	6.00 ± 13.42	3.00 ± 4.47
Rhabditidae (Ba1)	Cruznema	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	0	0
	Rhabditidae^a	0.45 ± 1.51	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Rhabditis	1.36 ± 3.23	2.27 ± 4.67	0	3.18 ± 5.13	18.00 ± 31.55	12.50 ± 34.42	2.00 ± 4.22	5.00 ± 11.55	7.00 ± 13.04	6.00 ± 8.94	0	0
Rhabdolaimidae (Ba3)	Rhabdolaimus	0	0	0.45 ± 1.51	0	0	0	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	0	0	0
Teratocephalidae (Ba3)	Teratocephalus	0.45 ± 1.51	0.45 ± 1.51	0	0	0	4.00 ± 11.01	0	0	4.00 ± 6.52	0	0	0
Total bacterivores		435.45 ± 275.30	293.64 ± 291.33	349.09 ± 507.99	573.18 ± 517.51	288.50 ± 147.82	460.50 ± 719.66	306.00 ± 435.38	308.00 ± 126.34	476.00 ± 506.13	368.00 ± 364.02	496.00 ± 603.15	212.00 ± 129.79

Occurrence and abundance of omnivores in 250 cm3 soil samples obtained from open grassland, shrubland with rocky outcrops and riparian zone sites in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga province, South Africa) as part of an ecological study that was conducted over four seasons from 2015 to 2016_

		Open grassland				Shrubland with rocky outcrops				Riparian zone
Family	Genus or Family	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn
Dorylaimidae (Om4)	Dorylaimidae^a	55.91 ± 22.89	20.45 ± 23.07	11.36 ± 19.25	17.27 ± 21.14	49.00 ± 29.23	14.00 ± 14.10	17.50 ± 29.65	16.00 ± 16.96	15.00 ± 12.75	15.00 ± 14.14	6.00 ± 6.52	18.00 ± 40.25
	Dorylaimus	0.45 ± 1.51	0.45 ± 1.51	0	0	0.50 ± 1.58	0	1.00 ± 3.16	0	3.00 ± 6.71	0	0	0
	Mesodorylaimus	0	0	0	0	3.00 ± 9.49	1.50 ± 4.74	0	2.50 ± 7.91	1.00 ± 2.24	3.00 ± 4.47	1.00 ± 2.24	2.00 ± 4.47
Tylencholaimidae (Om4)	Discomyctus	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6.00 ± 13.42
Mydonomidae (Om4)	Dorylaimoides	0.91 ± 3.02	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total omnivores		57.27 ± 23.60	20.91 ± 23.00	11.36 ± 19.25	17.27 ± 21.14	52.50 ± 31.38	15.50 ± 14.990	18.50 ± 29.160	18.50 ± 20.010	19.00 ± 9.62	18.00 ± 16.81	7.00 ± 5.70	26.00 ± 52.73

Metabolic footprints calculated from 250 cm3 soil samples obtained from riparian zone, shrubland with rocky outcrops and open grassland sites in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga province, South Africa) as part of an ecological study that was conducted over four seasons from 2015 to 2016_

	Open grassland (OG)				Shrubland with rocky outcrops (SRO)				Riparian zone (RZ)
	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn
Herbivore footprint	120 ± 70	118 ± 119	53 ± 63	168 ± 265	682 ± 1,326	116 ± 111	124 ± 117	116.11 ± 134	97 ± 81	683 ± 1,300	331 ± 326	289 ± 434
Bacterivore footprint	84 ± 49	56 ± 62	50 ± 74	99 ± 87	85 ± 63	91 ± 156	47 ± 52	57.21 ± 30	89 ± 62	66 ± 58	65 ± 67	29 ± 12
Fungivore footprint	14 ± 11	23 ± 26	25 ± 39	9 ± 7	11 ± 6	34 ± 60	23 ± 23	17.56 ± 22	4 ± 4	16 ± 18	49 ± 58	37 ± 55
Omnivore footprint	179 ± 97	103 ± 110	89 ± 94	91 ± 155	123 ± 67	78 ± 69	102 ± 124	58 ± 50	63 ± 34	54 ± 53	89 ± 150	241 ± 477
Predator footprint	12 ± 11	3 ± 4	6 ± 10	11 ± 11	31 ± 26	7 ± 9	7 ± 8	8 ± 8	15 ± 14	4 ± 3	22 ± 42	15 ± 13
Enrichment footprint	16 ± 8	30 ± 40	19 ± 38	21 ± 18	46 ± 65	68 ± 147	24 ± 21	23.46 ± 25	28 ± 26	35 ± 34	51 ± 44	33 ± 55
Structure footprint	217 ± 109	114 ± 112	103 ± 94	107 ± 153	178 ± 62	91 ± 78	122 ± 140	86 ± 62	123 ± 47	66 ± 61	132 ± 140	266 ± 481

Occurrence and abundance of herbivores in 250 cm3 soil samples obtained from open grassland, shrubland with rocky outcrops and riparian zone sites in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga province, South Africa) as part of an ecological study that was conducted over four seasons from 2015 to 2016_

		Open grassland				Shrubland with rocky outcrops				Riparian zone
Family	Genus or Family	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn
Anguinidae (He1)	Subanguina	1.36 ± 4.52	0	2.73 ± 9.05	0.45 ± 1.51	0	0	0	0	0	1.00 ± 2.24	0	1.00 ± 2.24
Belondiridae (He5)	Axonchium	0.91 ± 3.02	3.64 ± 4.52	0	0.91 ± 3.02	0	5.00 ± 12.69	3.00 ± 7.89	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	1.00 ± 2.24	0
Belonolaimidae (He3)	Tylenchorhynchus	1.82 ± 6.03	0	0	30.91 ± 65.91	18.00 ± 56.92	0.50 ± 1.58	25.00 ± 36.82	8.00 ± 13.98	0	0	0	0
Criconematidae (He3)	Criconematidae^a	1.82 ± 4.62	5.00 ± 13.42	0.91 ± 3.02	0.91 ± 3.02	3.00 ± 3.50	3.00 ± 6.32	1.00 ± 3.16	4.50 ± 9.56	1.00 ± 2.24	0	1.00 ± 2.24	0
	Criconema	0.91 ± 3.02	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.00 ± 4.47
	Criconemoides	6.36 ± 15.67	10.45 ± 17.24	7.27 ± 11.91	8.18 ± 22.39	0.50 ± 1.58	9.00 ± 21.19	5.00 ± 14.14	0	5.00 ± 11.18	5.00 ± 11.18	1.00 ± 2.24	0
	Hemicriconemoides	0	1.82 ± 6.03	0	0	0	1.00 ± 3.16	0	0	0	1.00 ± 2.24	0	0
	Hemicycliophora	5.91 ± 19.60	2.27 ± 7.54	0.45 ± 1.51	1.82 ± 6.03	1.50 ± 4.74	0.50 ± 1.58	0	1.00 ± 3.16	165.00 ± 301.58	13.00 ± 29.07	69.00 ± 154.29	1.00 ± 2.24
Dorylaimellidae (He5)	Dorylaimellus	58.18 ± 98.82	6.36 ± 13.80	8.64 ± 18.04	11.36 ± 31.23	21.50 ± 25.28	12.50 ± 20.85	8.50 ± 16.51	12.00 ± 25.19	0	5.00 ± 11.18	1.00 ± 2.24	55.00 ± 122.98
Heteroderidae (He3)	Meloidogyne	4.09 ± 10.68	2.27 ± 7.54	1.82 ± 4.05	25.45 ± 71.40	154.50 ± 350.55	13.00 ± 19.32	11.50 ± 16.67	8.00 ± 17.03	0	162.00 ± 342.90	45.00 ± 81.70	54.00 ± 120.98
Hoplolaimidae (He3)	Hoplolaimidae^a	6.36 ± 10.51	7.27 ± 16.94	0	2.27 ± 4.10	15.50 ± 26.29	14.00 ± 26.01	10.50 ± 31.49	0	2.00 ± 4.47	0	1.00 ± 2.24	0
	Helicotylenchus	38.64 ± 43.25	139.09 ± 246.41	42.27 ± 112.37	40.45 ± 64.67	52.00 ± 82.27	67.50 ± 102.29	31.50 ± 57.40	61.50 ± 12.83	6.00 ± 13.42	83.00 ± 185.59	3.00 ± 6.71	73.00 ± 139.45
	Rotylenchulus	34.55 ± 71.57	50.91 ± 128.78	31.82 ± 47.29	55.91 ± 125.89	34.50 ± 92.87	46.00 ± 143.72	53.00 ± 139.92	96.00 ± 275.77	2.00 ± 4.47	28.00 ± 59.85	3.00 ± 6.71	1.00 ± 2.24
	Rotylenchus	29.55 ± 42.51	21.36 ± 38.61	0	16.36 ± 22.59	18.50 ± 35.04	5.50 ± 11.65	0.50 ± 1.58	7.00 ± 10.59	15.00 ± 28.28	0	0	8.00 ± 7.89
	Scutellonema	110.45 ± 131.25	172.73 ± 231.38	38.64 ± 71.91	35.45 ± 36.77	44.00 ± 51.47	64.00 ± 92.04	131.00 ± 343.24	21.00 ± 23.78	19.00 ± 26.55	40.00 ± 58.74	35.00 ± 57.77	137.00 ± 275.83
Leptonchidae (He4)	Xiphinemella	6.82 ± 22.61	0	1.36 ± 3.23	5.45 ± 9.34	4.50 ± 14.23	2.50 ± 7.91	0.50 ± 1.58	5.50 ± 12.57	0	0	1.00 ± 2.24	2.00 ± 4.47
Longidoridae (He5)	Longidorus	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3.00 ± 6.71	0	0
	Xiphinema	6.82 ± 13.65	2.27 ± 4.10	7.27 ± 10.81	5.91 ± 10.68	20.22 ± 31.09	3.00 ± 5.37	11.50 ± 16.17	11.00 ± 16.96	3.00 ± 4.47	2.00 ± 2.74	6.00 ± 13.42	1.00 ± 2.24
Pratylenchidae (He3)	Pratylenchus	10.45 ± 19.42	22.73 ± 44.74	2.27 ± 3.44	5.91 ± 13.38	27.00 ± 34.50	16.00 ± 35.81	15.50 ± 29.67	5.50 ± 10.66	0	0	0	0
Psilenchidae (He2)	Psilenchus	0.91 ± 2.02	0	0	0	0	0	3.00 ± 9.49	0	31.00 ± 69.32	7.00 ± 15.65	15.00 ± 33.54	0
Trichodoridae (He4)	Nanidorus	0	2.73 ± 9.05	0	0	0	2.50 ± 5.40	1.50 ± 4.74	0.50 ± 1.58	5.00 ± 7.07	18.00 ± 28.42	313.00 ± 683.17	28.00 ± 49.32
	Paratrichodorus	0	0	0	0	2.00 ± 6.32	0	0	0	0	6.00 ± 13.42	0	0
	Trichodoridae^a	0	0.45 ± 1.51	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Trichodorus	0	0	0	0	0	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tylenchidae (He2)	Filenchus	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	41.00 ± 80.96	0	0
	Coslenchus	0	2.73 ± 9.05	0.45 ± 1.51	0	0	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Tylenchidae^a	0.45 ± 1.51	1.36 ± 3.23	0	0	0	2.50 ± 7.91	0	0.50 ± 1.58	1.00 ± 2.24	16.00 ± 30.50	0	0
	Tylenchus	77.73 ± 73.33	33.64 ± 40.38	15.91 ± 36.53	21.82 ± 24.21	121.50 ± 65.75	18.00 ± 18.59	14.00 ± 11.01	26.00 ± 27.37	139.00 ± 144.80	85.00 ± 100.93	246.00 ± 222.64	189.00 ± 263.71
Tylencholaimidae (He4)	Chitwoodius	0	0	0	0.45 ± 1.51	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tylenchulidae (He3)	Meloidoderita	3.64 ± 12.06	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Tylenchulus	0	0	0.45 ± 1.51	0	0	2.00 ± 6.32	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total herbivores		407.73 ± 194.43	489.09 ± 476.05	162.27 ± 214.97	270.00 ± 206.95	539.00 ± 383.70	289.00 ± 240.71	326.50 ± 363.48	268.50 ± 289.86	394.00 ± 353.77	516.00 ± 496.61	741.00 ± 922.38	552.00 ± 734.72

Investigated soil properties measured at the open grassland, shrubland with rocky outcrops and riparian zone habitats in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga province, South Africa)_

Habitat	Sand (%)	Silt (%)	Clay (%)	Organic carbon (%)
Open grassland	91.77 ± 3.03	3.75 ± 2.33	4.47 ± 0.94	0.78 ± 0.24
Shrubland with rocky outcrops	86.45 ± 4.44	6.99 ± 3.13	6.54 ± 2.08	1.65 ± 0.84
Riparian zone	86.48 ± 7.18	8.18 ± 5.16	5.33 ± 2.24	1.59 ± 1.26

Occurrence and abundance of fungivores in 250 cm3 soil samples obtained from open grassland, shrubland with rocky outcrops and riparian zone sites in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga province, South Africa) as part of an ecological study that was conducted over four seasons from 2015 to 2016_

		Open grassland				Shrubland with rocky outcrops				Riparian zone
Family	Genus or Family	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn
Anguinidae (Fu2)	Ditylenchus	8.64 ± 13.98	29.55 ± 40.28	28.18 ± 33.86	10.91 ± 13.75	1.50 ± 4.74	20.50 ± 38.18	19.00 ± 19.97	23.50 ± 30.56	0	25.00 ± 34.64	130.00 ± 144.27	110.00 ± 186.38
Aphelenchidae (Fu2)	Aphelenchus	15.91 ± 16.71	133.18 ± 190.56	86.36 ± 246.80	24.55 ± 35.67	12.50 ± 13.59	51.50 ± 63.20	80.00 ± 161.57	9.00 ± 9.66	0	19.00 ± 26.08	72.00 ± 102.02	68.00 ± 141.01
Aphelenchoididae (Fu2)	Aphelenchoides	8.64 ± 15.34	10.45 ± 15.72	21.36 ± 61.08	5.91 ± 7.01	13.00 ± 23.12	284.50 ± 887.40	16.00 ± 30.26	4.00 ± 6.58	15.00 ± 23.98	13.00 ± 13.04	21.00 ± 20.74	12.00 ± 21.39
Diphtherophoridae (Fu3)	Diphtherophora	23.18 ± 22.28	8.64 ± 13.62	5.00 ± 7.42	0.91 ± 2.02	24.00 ± 19.55	3.00 ± 6.32	23.50 ± 67.37	32.50 ± 86.35	9.00 ± 15.17	6.00 ± 13.42	34.00 ± 73.26	32.00 ± 35.81
Leptonchidae (Fu4)	Leptonchus	0	1.36 ± 3.23	0.91 ± 3.02	0.91 ± 3.02	0	1.00 ± 2.11	0	0.50 ± 1.58	0	1.00 ± 2.24	0	0
	Proleptonchus	0	0	3.18 ± 10.55	0	0	0	0	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	0	0
Neotylenchidae (Fu2)	Neotylenchidae^a	5.91 ± 10.20	3.64 ± 5.05	8.64 ± 15.02	10.00 ± 13.04	5.00 ± 15.81	11.50 ± 20.15	12.50 ± 18.45	18.50 ± 19.87	0	17.00 ± 28.20	23.00 ± 51.43	10.00 ± 17.32
Paraphelenchidae (Fu2)	Paraphelenchus	0	0	0	0	2.00 ± 6.32	0	0	0	1.00 ± 2.24	0	9.00 ± 20.12	0
Tylencholaimellidae (Fu4)	Tylencholaimellus	6.36 ± 11.85	0	0.45 ± 1.51	0.45 ± 1.15	3.50 ± 8.18	0.50 ± 1.58	2.00 ± 6.32	0	0	0	0	1.00 ± 2.24
Tylencholaimidae (Fu4)	Tylencholaimidae^a	2.73 ± 9.05	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.00 ± 2.24	0	0	0
	Tylencholaimus	7.27 ± 24.12	1.82 ± 4.05	24.09 ± 65.83	1.36 ± 4.52	7.00 ± 14.76	0	9.00 ± 28.46	0	2.00 ± 4.47	0	8.00 ± 15.25	0
Total fungivores		78.64 ± 54.13	188.64 ± 229.54	178.18 ± 342.99	55.00 ± 41.23	68.50 ± 35.83	372.50 ± 863.64	162.00 ± 179.20	88.50 ± 120.21	28.00 ± 22.53	81.00 ± 93.10	297.00 ± 341.31	233.00 ± 360.60

Mixed linear models reveal the effect (singularly and interactively) of the independent variables, season and habitat, on the calculated nematode-specific indices_

Variable	Source	F ratio	p value	Variable	Source	F ratio	p value
Maturity index 2–5	Habitat	3.66	0.04	Bacterivore footprint	Habitat	0.04	0.96
	Season	14.73	<0.001		Season	2.46	0.07
	Habitat × Season	0.42	0.86		Habitat × Season	0.58	0.75
Channel index	Habitat	2.49	0.11	Fungivore footprint	Habitat	0.35	0.71
	Season	11.67	<0.001		Season	1.52	0.22
	Habitat × Season	1.38	0.24		Habitat × Season	1.01	0.42
Basal index	Habitat	4.96	0.01	Omnivore footprint	Habitat	0.76	0.48
	Season	11.08	<0.001		Season	2.54	0.06
	Habitat × Season	0.35	0.91		Habitat × Season	0.29	0.94
Enrichment index	Habitat	8.77	<0.001	Predator footprint	Habitat	1.45	0.26
	Season	7.65	<0.001		Season	4.53	<0.01
	Habitat × Season	1.08	0.38		Habitat × Season	0.71	0.65
Structure index	Habitat	2.00	0.16	Enrichment footprint	Habitat	1.49	0.25
	Season	13.33	<0.001		Season	0.29	0.83
	Habitat × Season	0.64	0.70		Habitat × Season	0.84	0.54
Herbivore footprint	Habitat	0.56	0.58	Structure footprint	Habitat	0.11	0.90
	Season	1.60	0.20		Season	4.73	<0.01
	Habitat × Season	1.34	0.25		Habitat × Season	0.52	0.79

Occurrence and abundance of predators in 250 cm3 soil samples obtained from open grassland, shrubland with rocky outcrops and riparian zone sites in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga province, South Africa) as part of an ecological study that was conducted over four seasons from 2015 to 2016_

		Open grassland				Shrubland with rocky outcrops				Riparian zone
Family	Genus or Family	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn
Actinolaimidae (Pr5)	Neoactinolaimus	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.00 ± 4.47	0
Anatonchidae (Pr4)	Iotonchus	4.09 ± 7.01	0.45 ± 1.51	0.45 ± 1.51	0	9.50 ± 12.79	1.50 ± 2.42	3.00 ± 4.22	1.00 ± 3.16	2.00 ± 4.47	0	14.00 ± 31.30	4.00 ± 8.94
Aphelenchoididae (Pr2)	Seinura	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	44.00 ± 98.39
Aporcelaimidae (Pr5)	Aporcelaimidae^a	1.36 ± 4.52	0	0	1.82 ± 4.62	0	1.00 ± 3.16	0	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	0	3.00 ± 6.71
	Aporcelaimellus	16.36 ± 16.75	0.91 ± 3.02	5.91 ± 9.95	1.36 ± 4.52	3.50 ± 11.07	3.50 ± 4.12	9.50 ± 13.83	4.50 ± 9.56	2.00 ± 4.47	0	0	0
	Aporcelaimus	1.36 ± 3.23	5.00 ± 9.49	5.00 ± 9.22	4.09 ± 12.00	0	3.50 ± 5.80	3.50 ± 11.07	0	1.00 ± 2.24	2.00 ± 2.74	6.00 ± 13.42	19.00 ± 39.75
	Makatinus	0	0.91 ± 3.02	0	0	0	0	1.50 ± 4.74	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	0	0
Ironidae (Pr4)	Ironus	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4.00 ± 8.94	0	0	0
Mononchidae (Pr4)	Mononchidae^a	0.45 ± 1.51	0.45 ± 1.51	0	0	0	0	1.00 ± 3.16	0	0	2.00 ± 2.74	0	0
	Cobbonchus	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3.00 ± 4.47	0	0	0
	Granonchulus	0	0	0	0	0	1.50 ± 4.74	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Mononchus	0.45 ± 1.51	0.45 ± 1.51	0	1.82 ± 6.03	14.00 ± 29.04	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	2.00 ± 2.74	0	0	0
Mylonchulidae (Pr4)	Mylonchulus	0	0	0.91 ± 3.02	0	2.00 ± 4.83	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Paraxonchiidae (Pr5)	Paraxhonchium	4.55 ± 10.60	1.36 ± 3.23	3.64 ± 12.06	0	1.50 ± 4.74	0	3.00 ± 7.89	6.00 ± 14.49	0	0	0	0
Qudsianematidae (Pr4)	Discolaiminae^a	1.36 ± 4.52	0	0	0	2.00 ± 4.83	0	0	4.00 ± 8.76	0	0	0	0
	Discolaimoides	9.09 ± 14.80	2.73 ± 5.18	12.73 ± 25.43	20.91 ± 27.28	1.50 ± 3.37	0	1.00 ± 3.16	9.00 ± 12.87	2.00 ± 2.74	0	0	3.00 ± 6.71
	Discolaimus	0.91 ± 3.02	0.45 ± 1.51	0	1.36 ± 4.52	0.50 ± 1.58	2.50 ± 5.40	0.50 ± 1.58	0.50 ± 1.58	0	1.00 ± 2.24	1.00 ± 2.24	2.00 ± 2.74
	Eudorylaimus	0	0	0	0	0	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	0	0	2.00 ± 4.47	0
	Labronema	0	1.82 ± 6.03	0	0	0.50 ± 1.58	0.50 ± 1.58	1.00 ± 3.16	0.50 ± 1.58	0	0	6.00 ± 8.94	0
Tobrilidae (Pr4)	Tobrilus	0	0	0	0	1.00 ± 3.16	0	0	0	2.00 ± 2.74	1.00 ± 2.24	1.00 ± 2.24	1.00 ± 2.24
Tripylidae (Pr3)	Tripyla	0	0	0	0.45 ± 1.51	1.50 ± 4.74	0.50 ± 1.58	1.00 ± 3.16	0	0	0	0	0
Total predators		40.00 ± 28.81	14.55 ± 20.30	28.64 ± 24.40	31.82 ± 27.04	37.5 ± 34.56	15.5 ± 11.20	24.5 ± 21.67	26.5 ± 24.23	18.00 ± 13.51	6.00 ± 4.18	32.00 ± 39.15	76.00 ± 131.79

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Nematodes and the effect of seasonality in grassland habitats of South Africa

Figures & Tables

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Occurrence and abundance of omnivores in 250 cm3 soil samples obtained from open grassland, shrubland with rocky outcrops and riparian zone sites in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga province, South Africa) as part of an ecological study that was conducted over four seasons from 2015 to 2016_

Metabolic footprints calculated from 250 cm3 soil samples obtained from riparian zone, shrubland with rocky outcrops and open grassland sites in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga province, South Africa) as part of an ecological study that was conducted over four seasons from 2015 to 2016_

Investigated soil properties measured at the open grassland, shrubland with rocky outcrops and riparian zone habitats in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga province, South Africa)_

Mixed linear models reveal the effect (singularly and interactively) of the independent variables, season and habitat, on the calculated nematode-specific indices_

Occurrence and abundance of predators in 250 cm3 soil samples obtained from open grassland, shrubland with rocky outcrops and riparian zone sites in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga province, South Africa) as part of an ecological study that was conducted over four seasons from 2015 to 2016_

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