title: Nematode-Trapping Fungi.
abstract: Nematode-trapping fungi are a unique and intriguing group of carnivorous microorganisms that can trap and digest nematodes by means of specialized trapping structures. They can develop diverse trapping devices, such as adhesive hyphae, adhesive knobs, adhesive networks, constricting rings, and nonconstricting rings. Nematode-trapping fungi have been found in all regions of the world, from the tropics to Antarctica, from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems. They play an important ecological role in regulating nematode dynamics in soil. Molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that the majority of nematode-trapping fungi belong to a monophyletic group in the order Orbiliales (Ascomycota). Nematode-trapping fungi serve as an excellent model system for understanding fungal evolution and interaction between fungi and nematodes. With the development of molecular techniques and genome sequencing, their evolutionary origins and divergence, and the mechanisms underlying fungus-nematode interactions have been well studied. In recent decades, an increasing concern about the environmental hazards of using chemical nematicides has led to the application of these biological control agents as a rapidly developing component of crop protection.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
authors.forename: Xiangzhi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
authors.forename: Meichun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
authors.forename: Xingzhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005658:Fungi / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D009348:Nematoda / Q000382:microbiology*