Thermal sensitivity of Xenorhabdus bovienii (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae) isolated from Steinernema feltiae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) originating from different habitats

Abstract The soil-dwelling nematode Steinernema feltiae is found across a wide range of environmental conditions. We asked if its only bacterial symbiont, Xenorhabdus bovienii , shows intraspecific variability in thermal range, which may affect effectiveness S. against host insects. isolated X. from six different natural locations with mean annual temperatures and two laboratory cultures. estimated determined the specific growth rate based on optical density measurements mathematical modeling using Ratkowsky model. minimal temperature ( T min ) ranged 0.9 ± 2.2 °C to 7.1 1.4 °C. optimal opt varied between 25.1 0.2 30.5 model showed that stops multiplying at around 36 calculated 2.0 0.3 [h −1 ] 3.6 0.5 ]. No differences max bacteria were found. Additionally, did not correlate origin. However, obtained curves suggested analyzed show some when comparing characteristics.