Nematophagous Fungi: Guide by Philip Jacobs, BRIC-Version

Arthrobotrys dactyloides

Arthrobotrys dactyloides DRECHSLER 1937

Form Genus: Arthrobotrys CORDA 1839
Form Subfamily: Hyalodidymae
Form Family: Moniliaceae
Form Order: Moniliales (Hyphomycetes)
Form Class: Deuteromycetes (Fungi imperfecti)
Division: Eumycota

(System of anamorphs according to SACCARDO 1886)

Arthrobotrys dactyloides shows significantly slower and denser hyphal growth than most network-developing species like A. superba and A. oligospora. On the top of its upright, unbranched, 200-400 µm high Conidiophores it bears groups of 4-10 two-celled, elongated ellipsoid, slightly curved, 32-45 µm long and 6-10 µm broad conidia on about 5µm long sterigmata. The two cells of one conidium are of about the sime size. Older cultures develop separate, yellow, spherical, up to 15 µm large chlamydospores (DRECHSLER 1937; HAARD 1968).
It is the only species of its genus besides Arthrobotrys anchonia that develops constricting rings, which have an outside diameter of 20-23 µm and whose three cells expand towards the centre and squeeze the prey when touched from the inner side (see Animation: Capture of a Meloidogyne larva by constriction of a ring trap). The ring traps sit on two-celled, 7-14 µm long stalks.

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Nematode in a constricted ring trap of Arthrobotrys dactyloides


Constricting rings of Arthrobotrys dactyloides, view from above (rings standing vertically)

Conidium of Arthrobotrys dactyloides


Conidiophore of Arthrobotrys dactyloides




Formation of a constricting ring of Arthrobotrys dactyloides


Constricting ring of Arthrobotrys dactyloides, view from the side (perspective of approaching nematode)


Constricted ring of Arthrobotrys dactyloides (Animation: Capture of a Meloidogyne larva by constriction of a ring trap)