Nematophagous fungi: Rhopalomyces elegans

Abstract

Rhopalomyces elegans is known to be a parasite of nematode eggs. This species is now found to be capable of capturing and parasitizing both the larval and adult stages of a species of Rhabditis. Penetration from an appressorium is followed by considerable subcuticular growth before death and colonization of the host. The presence of functional anastomoses is demonstrated in the vegetative hyphae of this mucoralean fungus.