''Zoophagus'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of zygomycete fungi that preys on

rotifer The rotifers (, from the Latin , "wheel", and , "bearing"), commonly called wheel animals or wheel animalcules, make up a phylum (Rotifera ) of microscopic and near-microscopic pseudocoelomate animals. They were first described by Rev. John H ...

s and

nematode The nematodes ( or grc-gre, Νηματώδη; la, Nematoda) or roundworms constitute the phylum Nematoda (also called Nemathelminthes), with plant-Parasitism, parasitic nematodes also known as eelworms. They are a diverse animal phylum inhab ...

s. It was established in 1911 by Sommerstorff, who originally considered it to be an

oomycete Oomycota forms a distinct phylogenetic lineage of fungus-like eukaryotic microorganisms, called oomycetes (). They are filamentous and heterotrophic, and can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction of an oospore is the resul ...

. It is common in a variety of freshwater habitats, such as ponds and sewage treatment plants.

Morphology

The

mycelium Mycelium (plural mycelia) is a root-like structure of a fungus consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. Fungal colonies composed of mycelium are found in and on soil and many other substrate (biology), substrates. A typical single ...

is composed of non-septate hyphae that bear lateral adhesive pegs. Spores are sometimes septate long, fusiform merosporangia with tapered ends that are borne on lateral sporangiophores. OH05 Moss 150705 Zoophagus3

Ecology

''Zoophagus'' species have been reported from ponds, brooks, and fens, usually in association with algae or decaying plant matter. Exceptions are ''Z. cornus'', which was described from rice paddy mud, and ''Z. pectosporus'', which was described from moss and additionally reported from leaf litter. ''Zoophagus insidians'' in particular has also been reported from sewage treatment plants where it can pose a significant threat to water quality. ''Zoophagus'' spp. prey on a variety of rotifer species. ''Zoophagus pectosporus'' primarily preys on nematodes and seems to be restricted to species of ''Bunonema'', though it is also capable of trapping rotifers. When prey encounter one of the traps, an adhesive is released and the animal is caught. Hyphae later grow into the body and digest it.

Species

*'' Zoophagus insidians'' Sommerstorff – type species *''

Zoophagus cornus ''Zoophagus'' is a genus of Zygomycota, 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 ...

'' Glockling *'' Zoophagus pectosporus'' (Dreschler) M.W. Dick *'' Zoophagus tentaclum'' Karling *'' Zoophagus tylopagus'' Xing Y. Liu & K.Q. Zhang

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q10724801 Zygomycota genera Zygomycota