DACTYLELLA-MEGALOBROCHA, A NEW SPECIES OF NEMATOPHAGOUS FUNGUS WITH CONSTRICTING RINGS

A fungus capturing nematodes in 3-celled constricting rings was isolat ed from a sample of rabbit dung collected from oak woods in Wellington Country Park in Hampshire. The fungus was initially found predating a n adult nematode (Plectus) which was present in the dung sample. The t rapped nematode had a constricted ring around the anterior of its body . The ring was disconnected from any mycelium and the nematode was sti ll alive and swimming, This ring was used to propagate the fungus. A c omparative review of the conidia of constricting ring fungi was made; and TEM was used to make an initial examination of the constricting ri ngs and the ring/stalk connection of this fungus.