Nematophagous fungi: a new Harposporium producing aerial arthroconidia

Abstract

A new Harposporium is described which produces branching chains of arthroconidia at the apex of phialide-bearing conidiophores. Phialoconidia are crescent shaped in lactophenol but tend to coil to form part of a helix in water. Phialoconidia are very variable in size and have a mucoid secretion at the proximal end. Arthroconidia germinate in the presence of nematodes to produce phialoconidia from short, cylindrical conidiogenous cells. Infection of a nematode host is initiated by lodging of a phialoconidium in the oesophagus.