Nematophagous Fungi: Guide by Philip Jacobs, BRIC-Version

Harposporium anguillulae

Harposporium anguillulae LOHDE 1874

Form Genus: Harposporium LOHDE 1874
Form Subfamily: Hyalosporae
Form Family: Moniliaceae
Form Order: Moniliales (Hyphomycetes)
Form Class: Deuteromycetes (Fungi imperfecti)
Division: Eumycota

(System of anamorphs according to SACCARDO 1886)

Harposporium anguillulae is one of the most frequently found endoparasitic nematophagous fungi.

All species of the endoparasitic genus Harposporium develop non-adhesive infection conidia, which, depending on the species and therefore the shape of the spore, get stuck in the oral cavity or the intestine. The sickle-shaped conidia of Harposporium anguillulae stick fast already in the pharynx. After infection and subsequent dissolution of the nematode the hyphae penetrate the cuticle and develop conidiophores outside the host with 1-5 conidiae each. Inside the nematode, chlamydospores (resting spores) are often found (DRECHSLER 1941).

Harposporium cannot be used for biological control of phytopathogenous nematodes, because eelworms with a mouth prick are not able to swallow whole spores.

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