New Cephaliophora species capturing rotifers and tardigrades

Abstract

Cephaliophora muscicola and Cephaliophora longispora are new species of Hyphomycetes capturing rotifers and tardigrades using specialized adhesive pegs. Elongate, hyaline, multiseptate, canoe-shaped conidia are produced synchronously in small clusters at the apex of conidiophores, which arise at right angles from the vegetative hyphae. In the presence of rotifers, conidia germinate to produce one or several adhesive pegs. Rotifers and tardigrades are captured by the pegs, and subsequent growth forms an extensive network of hyphae bearing pegs and clusters of conidia. Cephaliophora muscicola was recovered from moss and forest debris in New Zealand and from leaf mould in Japan. Cephaliophora longispora was removed from mossy soil collected in New Zealand and from moss in Canada.