Dactylella Explained

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

Notes and References

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