Nematophagous fungi: prospective biological control agents of animal parasitic nematodes?
The rapidly escalating problem of anthelmintic resistance and the increasing concerns of chemical residues in livestock products and the environment pose serious threats to the future of chemotherapeutic control o f animal parasitic nematodes. One possible non-chemotherapeutic approach is biological control using nemotophagous fungi. Although Grønvold and colleagues recently described their experiments with two nematode-destroying fungi, Arthrobotrys and Duddingtonia, this alternate control option has received relatively little research attention. Here, Peter Waller broadens the discussion to consider the fundamental problems and prospects of this non-chemotheropeutic control strategy.
CSIRO Division of Animal Health, McMaster Laboratory, Private Bag No. 1, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia.
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