Zoophagus

Zoophagus
A hypha of Zoophagus insidians runs from the bottom left corner to the top left corner. Three short traps are visible along the hypha and are centered in the image. The trap closest to the bottom left corner is on the left side of the hypha; it is out of focus because it is pointing away from the camera. The next trap is on the right side of the hypha. It is also out of focus because it points toward the camera. The trap closest to the top right corner is on the right side of the hypha and is in complete focus.
Hyphae of Zoophagus sp. displaying the lateral traps that rotifers get stuck on.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Zoopagomycota
Class: Zoopagomycetes
Order: Zoopagales
Family: Zoopagaceae
Genus: Zoophagus
Sommerstorff
Type species
Zoophagus insidians
Sommerstorff[1]

Zoophagus is a genus of zygomycete fungi that preys on rotifers and nematodes. It was established in 1911 by Sommerstorff, who originally considered it to be an oomycete. It is common in a variety of freshwater habitats, such as ponds and sewage treatment plants.[2]

  1. ^ Sommerstorff, H. (1911). "Ein Tiere fangender Pilz". Österreichische Botanische Zeitschrift. 61: 361–373. doi:10.1007/bf01643971.
  2. ^ Alexopoulos CJ.; Mims SW.; Blackwell M. (1996). Introductory Mycology (fourth ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 161–162.