Abstract

Acrobeles complexus is a free-living bacterivorous nematode that lives in soil. As lipid is a source of stored energy in nematodes, larvae, females, and males of A. complexus were studied. The nematode was extracted from soil using the modified Baermann technique. The nematode was then preserved according to the available protocols. Oil red O was used for lipid staining. A method was used for staining lipid in the juvenile, female and male stages of A. complexus. The nematodes were fixed with FA4:1 for 24 hours at 37°C, then excessive fixative was removed, and a solution of saturated oil red O in 96% ethanol was added to each Petri dish and was kept for 25 minutes at 60°C. Excess oil red O was removed, nematodes were washed twice with 70% ethanol, and were transferred to pure glycerin. Lipid droplets were viewed by light microscopy and appeared as dark red of various sizes within the nematodes. A study of about 50 nematodes showed that juveniles have more lipid than males and females. Albeit, females, have more lipids than males. In conclusion, a study of lipid demonstrated that larvae could tolerate challenging environmental conditions that affect their population dynamic, particularly in the winter season.