Transmission and scanning electron microscope observations on the trapping of nematodes by Dactylaria Candida

Abstract

The host–predator relationship of the myceliophagous nematode Aphelenchus avenae Bastian and the predaceous hyphomycete Dactylaria Candida (Nees) Sacc. was investigated using scanning electron microscopy of whole-mount preparations and transmission electron microscopy of ultrathin resin (Spurr) sections. Trapping knobs and knobs with associated hyphae were found to be effective nematode-trapping agents. The ultrastructure of the trapping apparatus and of the nematodes and hyphae during the infection process is reported herein, as is the phenomenon of postinfection 'breakout.' Nonconstricting rings were not observed during this study.