Zoophagus
Genus of fungi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zoophagus is a genus of zygomycete fungi that preys on rotifers and nematodes. It was established in 1911 by Sommerstorff, who originally considered it to be an oomycete. It is common in a variety of freshwater habitats, such as ponds and sewage treatment plants.[2]
| Zoophagus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Hyphae of Zoophagus sp. displaying the lateral traps that rotifers get stuck on. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Zoopagomycota |
| Class: | Zoopagomycetes |
| Order: | Zoopagales |
| Family: | Zoopagaceae |
| Genus: | Zoophagus Sommerstorff |
| Type species | |
| Zoophagus insidians Sommerstorff[1] | |
Morphology
The mycelium is composed of non-septate hyphae that bear lateral adhesive pegs. Spores are sometimes septate long, fusiform merosporangia with tapered ends that are borne on lateral sporangiophores.[3][4]
Ecology
Zoophagus species have been reported from ponds, brooks, and fens, usually in association with algae or decaying plant matter.[2][5][6][7][8][9] Exceptions are Z. cornus, which was described from rice paddy mud, and Z. pectosporus, which was described from moss and additionally reported from leaf litter.[10][11][12] Zoophagus insidians in particular has also been reported from sewage treatment plants where it can pose a significant threat to water quality.[2][13] Zoophagus spp. prey on a variety of rotifer species.[2] Zoophagus pectosporus primarily preys on nematodes and seems to be restricted to species of Bunonema, though it is also capable of trapping rotifers.[11][14] When prey encounter one of the traps, an adhesive is released and the animal is caught. Hyphae later grow into the body and digest it.[2]
Species
- Zoophagus insidians Sommerstorff – type species
- Zoophagus cornus Glockling
- Zoophagus pectosporus (Dreschler) M.W. Dick
- Zoophagus tentaclum Karling
- Zoophagus tylopagus Xing Y. Liu & K.Q. Zhang