Syncephalis Californica, A Mycoparasite Inducing Giant Hyphal Swellings in Species of Mucorales

SUMMARY

Syncephalis californica is described from soils of the Sacramento Valley of California. It is distinguished from other species by the height of the sporangiophore, a 270° angle of recurvature and the uniform diameter throughout the recurved portion of the sporangiophore. Synchephalis californica induces giant hyphal swellings in its host: it parasitizes several species of Rhizopus, Mucor, Choanephora, Gilbertella, Blakeslea, Thamnostylum, Thamnidium and Zygorhynchus. Of the hosts examined, Rhizopus species are the most susceptible.