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The living strategy of nematophagous fungi

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Mycoscience

Abstract

The infection structures, trophism, and ecological character of nematophagous fungi are reviewed in this article on the basis of data extracted from the literature and the most recent experiments conducted in this area. Traditionally, nematophagous fungi are classified into four groups according to their modes of attacking nematodes: nematode-trapping fungi using adhesive or mechanical hyphal traps, endoparasitic fungi using their spores, eggparasitic fungi invading nematode eggs or females with their hyphal tips, and toxin-producing fungi immobilizing nematodes before invasion. In the present review, we focus on the first two groups. The living strategies of these nematophagous fungi depend on the diversity of their infection structures, such as different traps and spore types, which determine the modes of infecting nematodes. The diversity of trophic modes of nematophagous fungi is an important prerequisite for fungal survival and activity in soil. The abundance and activity of Hirsutella rhossiliensis and H. minnesotensis, representatives of endoparasites and potential biocontrol agents against nematodes, are highly dependent on environmental factors. Comprehensive understanding of the survival and activity of nematophagous fungi in soil is fundamental for the exploitation of these fungi as successful biocontrol agents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Systematic Mycology & Lichenology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3 Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China

    Xingzhong Liu, Meichun Xiang & Yongsheng Che

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  1. Xingzhong Liu
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  2. Meichun Xiang
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  3. Yongsheng Che
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Correspondence to Xingzhong Liu.

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Liu, X., Xiang, M. & Che, Y. The living strategy of nematophagous fungi. Mycoscience 50, 20–25 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10267-008-0451-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10267-008-0451-3

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