A new predatory Hyphomycete capturing copepods

Abstract

Dactylella copepodii sp.nov. is described as a new predatory Hyphomycete capturing larval and adult stages of soil-inhabiting copepods. Capture is by adhesion to the swollen end cell of a hypha or lateral branch. Conidiophores are simple and each bears a large, hyaline, multiseptate, terminal, solitary conidium. In the presence of copepods, conidia germinate from the end cells to produce simple or sparingly branched hyphae bearing adhesive knobs at the tips. The relationship between Dactylella and Monacrosporium is discussed.