Orbilia fimicola, a nematophagous discomycete and its Arthrobotrys anamorph

Abstract

Cultures derived from a collection of Orbilia fimicola produced an Arthrobotrys anamorph. This anamorph was identified as A. superba. A discomycete agreeing closely with O. fimicola was previously reported to be associated with a culture of A. superba but no definitive connection was made. In the present study, traps were formed in the Arthrobotrys cultures when nematodes were added. The hypothesis is put forth that other Orbilia species might be predators of nematodes or invertebrates based on their ascospore and conidial form.

Key Words:

• Arthrobotrys
• nematophagy
• Orbilia