Unraveling Sex Determination in Bursaphelenchus Nematodes: A Path Towards Pest-control

The mechanisms underlying sex determination in nematodes, commonly known as roundworms, have not been fully understood. Now, an international team of researchers has conducted a study to determine the sex determination process in two fungal feeding/plant disease-causing nematode species of the genus Bursaphelenchus. The team found that an unknown stochastic regulation mechanism was responsible for sex determination in these species. Exploring these mechanisms further can help contribute to pest control strategies via nematode population control.