Final answer:
Fertilized female nematodes have the capability to lay between 3,000 and 20,000 eggs daily. The reproductive process begins shortly after fertilization, and due to high fecundity, nematodes can have an extensive population spread across different habitats.
Step-by-step explanation:
A fertilized female nematode can lay 3,000 to 20,000 eggs per day. These eggs are laid after a maturation period of 60 to 70 days. Once internal fertilization has occurred, the eggs go through embryonic development stages, starting very soon after fertilization and are released during the gastrulation stage within the female's body. Later, the eggs hatch into larvae, which then develop within the walls of the colon and cecum, attaching themselves and embedding parts of their bodies into the mucosa.
Nematodes exhibit diverse reproductive strategies. The roundworm C. elegans, for example, is mostly a monoecious species that is capable of self-fertilizing. In contrast, other nematodes practice sexual reproduction with separate male and female adults, where fertilization takes place inside the female. Once fertilization is successful, female nematodes become prolific egg layers, contributing to their widespread presence in various habitats.
The reproduction rate of nematodes is notably high, with the number of individuals in various habitats ranging from hundreds to billions per square meter. Such reproductive efficiency ensures the continuity and expansion of the nematode population across diverse environments.