Agar “Baits” for the Collection of Aquatic Fungi

SUMMARY

Artificial “baits” were prepared for in situ baiting for water molds. The baits, consisting of dialysis tubing containing agar media, were submerged in an eutrophic pond in southern Illinois. When retrieved, after 2 wk to 2 mo, the baits contained sterile, unidentifiable hyphae of several types. Reproductive structures of some oomycetous fungi and those of species of Nowakowskiella, Anguillospora, and a Cylindrocarpon-like fungus also were found. Although there are problems in handling artificial baits their value as a known substrate cannot be overemphasized. The promise this research technique offers for critical in situ studies of aquatic fungi by both taxonomists and ecologists is immeasurable.