Dactylella | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Subdivision: | Pezizomycotina |
Class: | Leotiomycetes |
Order: | Helotiales |
Family: | Orbiliaceae |
Genus: | Dactylella |
Species | |
See text. |
See text.
Dactylella is a genus comprising 72 species of mitosporic fungi in the family Orbiliaceae. They are notable for trapping and eating nematodes.
Members of this genus form a noose structure from several elongate cells. When stimulated by a nematode passing through the structure, the cells swell, tightening the noose and trapping the nematode. Filaments then grow into the nematode to absorb nutrients.