A Nematode-Capturing Fungus with Anastomosing Clamp-Bearing Hyphae

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Abstract
Nematoctonus concurrens was found developing abundantly in maizemeal-agar plate cultures that had been planted with decaying leaves and stems of Bromus secalinus from Oregon. It subsisted entirely through capture and destruction of free-living nematodes, mainly Panagrolaimus subelongatus and Ditylenchus sp. Capture is effected here by means of globular masses of adhesive material secreted by elongated hour-glass-shaped glandular cells held aloft on short erect stalks borne on prostrate mycelial filaments. These adhesive organs are here found arising at intervals along procumbent hyphae and also at the ends of branches, whereas in N. haptocladus predacious organs of similar character, but of generally smaller dimensions, are formed only as upcurving terminations of procumbent branches. The eelworms are invaded by assimilative hyphae put forth from the glandular cells and frequently, besides, by additional hyphae intruded from several accessory infective branches that arise nearby and apply their tips to the individual animal''s integument close to the glandular cell. Hyphal fusions are frequent in the fungus. Conidia are produced on sterigmata borne on procumbent and on ascending hyphae. They are somewhat larger than the conidia of N. haptocladus, but germinate similarly by putting forth erect adhesive organs after falling on moist substratum.

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