Nematophagous fungi - study by fluorescence microscopy and EDX-technique of the periodicity of trap formation in soil.

Chr. H. Jensen, H. G. Neumeister and G. Lysek
published: Biological Rhythm Research, 1997, Vol. 28, No. 3, pp. 365-373

Credit
Reproduced with kind permission of Swets & Zeitlinger (www.szp.swets.nl)

Abstract

 The recently developed method of studying fungi inside soil by fluorescence microscopy was used to examine the periodism of trap formation by predacious fungi. Therefore, this method was supplemented by a technique, which also permitted serial sections of the soil and the counting of capture organs of Arthrobotrys oliqospora in the soil.
 In combination these methods also allowed spotting of the traps at their exact location, thus giving evidence about their spatial, three dimensional pattern and demonstrating the relative predatory success in soil. It was shown that in spite of a virtually homogeneous induction by the eelworms the distribution is distinctly periodical. A period of 29,65 + 4.14 h was calculated. Additional EDX-measurements of the mycelia showed maxima of mineral content, the distance of which agreed with the period length observed. These mineral accumulations obviously marked the sites of potential trap formation.

Abstracting keywords: fluorescence microscopy, EDX-technique, SEM, nematophagous fungi, trap formation, periodicity, soil fungi, Arthrobotrys oliqospora

Article about EFT and EDX

[BRIC - Home] [Contact] [Fungi] [Ecological remarks]