Trematodes enhance the development of the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys (Duddingtonia) flagrans.
The capability of helminth (nematode and trematode) parasites in stimulating nematode trap and chlamydospore development of the nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys (formerly Duddingtonia) flagrans was explored. Dead adult specimens of trematodes (the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica and the rumen fluke Calicophoron daubneyi) and nematodes (the ascarid Parascaris equorum and the strongylid Oesophagostomum spp.), as well as their secretory products, were placed onto corn meal agar plates concurrently inoculated with A. flagrans. Trapping organs were observed after 5 d and chlamydospores after 16 d, including in the control plates in the absence of parasitic stimulus. However, our data shows that both nematodes and trematodes increase trap and chlamydospore production compared with controls. We show for the first time that significantly higher numbers of traps and chlamydospores were observed in the cultures coinoculated with adult trematodes. We conclude that both the traps and chlamydospores formation are not only related to nematode-specific stimuli. The addition of secretory products of the trematode C. daubneyi to culture medium has potential for use in the large scale production of chlamydospores.
Equine Diseases Study Group COPAR, G-2120, Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, Santiago de Compostela University, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
María Sol
MS
Arias
José
J
Suárez
Cristiana Filipa
CF
Cazapal-Monteiro
Iván
I
Francisco
María Eugenia
ME
López-Arellano
Pablo
P
Piñeiro
José Luis
JL
Suárez
Rita
R
Sánchez-Andrade
Pedro
P
Mendoza de Gives
Adolfo
A
Paz-Silva
D000818:Animals; D059586:Duddingtonia / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000254:growth & development; D014200:Trematoda / Q000382:microbiology*
Antigen stimulus; Arthrobotrys flagrans; Helminth parasites; Morphogenesis