Dactylella

Last updated

Dactylella
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Orbiliomycetes
Order: Orbiliales
Family: Orbiliaceae
Genus: Dactylella
Species

See text

Dactylella is a genus comprising 72 species of mitosporic fungi in the family Orbiliaceae. They are notable for trapping and eating nematodes. [1]

Members of this genus form a noose structure from several elongate cells. When stimulated by a nematode passing through the structure, the cells swell, tightening the noose and trapping the nematode. Filaments then grow into the nematode to absorb nutrients. [2]

Species

References

  1. Ahren, D; Ursing, BM; Tunlid, A (1998). "Phylogeny of nematode-trapping fungi based on 18S rDNA sequences". FEMS Microbiology Letters. 158 (2): 179–184. doi:10.1016/s0378-1097(97)00519-3. PMID   9465391.
  2. Doyle, W. T. (1970). Nonseed Plants: Form and Function . Wadsworth Pub. Co. p.  39.