Nematophagous fungi: a new Harposporium parasitic on Prismatolaimus

Abstract

Harposporium rhynchosporum is described as a new species recovered from farmyard soil. The fungus was found parasitizing only one nematode species belonging to the genus Prismatolaimus. In H. rhynchosporum the phialospores are asymmetrically heart-shaped with a spiny outgrowth to one side of their convex surface. The species is related to H. diceraeum and H. bysmatosporum and the infection cycle is probably initiated by the conidia lodging in the buccal cavity or oesophagus of the host.