MITOSPORIC FUNGI SPECIAL GROUPS IB371 - GENERAL MYCOLOGY LECTURE 19 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2003

Predaceous Hyphomycetes Usually grouped together as the nematode-trapping fungi, but they may capture a variety of invertebrates, especially protozoans. Usually grouped together as the nematode-trapping fungi, but they may capture a variety of invertebrates, especially protozoans. Display a variety of morphological adaptations to either capture or attach to their prey. Display a variety of morphological adaptations to either capture or attach to their prey.

Predaceous Hyphomycetes Usually found in the soil, especially associated with organic debris that is also colonized by invertebrates. Usually found in the soil, especially associated with organic debris that is also colonized by invertebrates. Also found in dung, rotting wood, vegetable compost, leaf mold, etc. Also found in dung, rotting wood, vegetable compost, leaf mold, etc. Recently, a wood-rotting basidiomycete has been found to be predaceous. Recently, a wood-rotting basidiomycete has been found to be predaceous.

METHODS OF ATTACK Sticky hyphae Sticky hyphae Sticky knobs Sticky knobs Non-constricting rings and nets Non-constricting rings and nets Constricting rings Constricting rings Unusual conidia Unusual conidia

STICKY KNOBS

ADHESIVE NETS

NON-CONSTRICTING RINGS

CONSTRICTING RINGS

UNUSUAL CONIDIA

AQUATIC HYPHOMYCETES Found commonly in streams, creeks, rivers and a few species are found in lakes and ponds. Found commonly in streams, creeks, rivers and a few species are found in lakes and ponds. Occur mostly on deciduous leaves and woody debris of riparian tree and shrub species. Occur mostly on deciduous leaves and woody debris of riparian tree and shrub species.

C. T. INGOLD

AQUATIC HYPHOMYCETES Important decomposers of pectin, starches, cellulose & hemicelluloses and lignins Important decomposers of pectin, starches, cellulose & hemicelluloses and lignins Enrich the plant debris they colonize by increasing the protein content Enrich the plant debris they colonize by increasing the protein content May attract and serve as a food resource for invertebrates that are unable to digest lignocelluloses May attract and serve as a food resource for invertebrates that are unable to digest lignocelluloses

AQUATIC HYPHOMYCETES Polyphyletic group with representatives in the Basidiomycota and Ascomycota (Discomycetes, Pyrenomycetes, Loculoascomycetes) Polyphyletic group with representatives in the Basidiomycota and Ascomycota (Discomycetes, Pyrenomycetes, Loculoascomycetes) Morphologically adapted for dispersal in water and attachment to substrates in flowing water Morphologically adapted for dispersal in water and attachment to substrates in flowing water

CONDIAL TYPES

WHY WOULD NATURAL SELECTION FAVOR SIGMOIDAL OR BRANCHED CONDIDIA IN FRESHWATER? IN-CLASS ACTIVITY

Riffle area at Steps Bridge, Devon, England

ACCUMULATION OF FOAM

SPORES ADHERING TO AIR BUBBLE

FILIFORM CONIDIA

TETRARADIATE CONIDIUM

SEM OF SUBMERGED DECOMPOSING LEAF

DECOMPOSING LEAVES

CONIDIA FILTERED FROM STREAM WATER

ENERGY FLOW IN STREAMS

AEROAQUATIC HYPHOS Found in lentic and lotic habitats Found in lentic and lotic habitats Adapted for habitats with fluctuating water levels and for emergent substrates Adapted for habitats with fluctuating water levels and for emergent substrates Polyphyletic group (Basidiomycetous and Ascomycetous teleomorphs) Polyphyletic group (Basidiomycetous and Ascomycetous teleomorphs) Decomposers of submerged substrates Decomposers of submerged substrates Sporulate when substrates exposed to air Sporulate when substrates exposed to air

AEROAQUATIC HYPHOS

Morphologically adapted to trap air and/or float Morphologically adapted to trap air and/or float Coiled conidia Coiled conidia Multicelled conidia with hollow centers Multicelled conidia with hollow centers Hydrophobic conidia Hydrophobic conidia