Pristionchus pacificus is part of the diplogastrids, a clade nested within the rhabditid group where C. elegans belongs. Like C. elegans, P. pacificus reproduces with selfing protandrous XX hermaphrodites and facultative X0 males. It is found on several continents, associated with beetles. P. pacificus shares many experimental advantages with C. elegans and is being used for developmental and ecological studies. Two notable differences between P. pacificus and C. elegans are the occurrence of the first molt before hatching in the former and the dimorphism of its stoma structures. P. pacificus generation time is four days at 20°C.
The closely related species Pristionchus maupasi and P. entomorphus naturally occur in close association with Scarabaeidae and Chrysomelidae. P. pacificus has so far not been observed in isolates from North American scarab or potato beetles, but has been found on the Japanese scarab beetle Exomala orientalis (WBPaper00031139). The P. pacificus laboratory strain PS312, used for genomic sequencing, was isolated in Pasadena (California, USA) and is available from the CGC.
Sex Determination: hermaphrodite
Haploid No. chromosomes: 6 (5 autosomes, XO)
Proteins: PP:.*
Species abbreviation in genetic nomenclature: Ppa-