Dactylella is a genus comprising 72 species of mitosporic fungi in the family Orbiliaceae. They are notable for trapping and eating nematodes.[1]

Dactylella
Scientific classification
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Dactylella
Species

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Members of this genus form a noose structure from several elongate cells. When stimulated by a nematode passing through the structure, the cells swell, tightening the noose and trapping the nematode. Filaments then grow into the nematode to absorb nutrients.[2]

Species

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References

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  1. ^ Ahren, D; Ursing, BM; Tunlid, A (1998). "Phylogeny of nematode-trapping fungi based on 18S rDNA sequences". FEMS Microbiology Letters. 158 (2): 179–184. doi:10.1016/s0378-1097(97)00519-3. PMID 9465391.
  2. ^ Doyle, W. T. (1970). Nonseed Plants: Form and Function. Wadsworth Pub. Co. p. 39.