Three Species of Eccrinales Inhabiting the Hindguts of Millipeds, With Comments on the Eccrinids as a Group

SUMMARY

Three commensal fungi in the hindguts of millipeds belonging to the genus Enterobryus are described, one a long-established species and the other two new. The first species described and assigned to the genus, Enterobryus elegans Leidy, has been studied in more detail and an account given of the development of its spores. What appears to be an interesting adaptation for the maintenance of the fungus within the molting milliped, by attachment to nematodes that also inhabit the gut, is reported. Also described are two other fungi, Enterobryus euryuri from Euryurus erythropygus (Brandt) and Enterobryus apheloriae from Apheloria iowa Chamberlin, which are considered to be new species. Five different spore types produced by these three species of Enterobryus are described. A technique is outlined for studying members of the genus.

The general characteristics and distribution of the order Eccrinales, and the status of its taxonomy, are discussed.