''Zoophagus'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

of zygomycete fungi that preys on

rotifer The rotifers (, from Latin 'wheel' and 'bearing'), sometimes called wheel animals or wheel animalcules, make up a phylum (Rotifera ) of microscopic and near-microscopic Coelom#Pseudocoelomates, pseudocoelomate animals. They were first describ ...

s and

nematode The nematodes ( or ; ; ), roundworms or eelworms constitute the phylum Nematoda. Species in the phylum inhabit a broad range of environments. Most species are free-living, feeding on microorganisms, but many are parasitic. Parasitic worms (h ...

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

oomycete The Oomycetes (), or Oomycota, form a distinct phylogenetic lineage of fungus-like eukaryotic microorganisms within the Stramenopiles. They are filamentous and heterotrophic, and can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction o ...

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

Morphology

The

mycelium Mycelium (: mycelia) is a root-like structure of a fungus consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. Its normal form is that of branched, slender, entangled, anastomosing, hyaline threads. Fungal colonies composed of mycelium are fo ...

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 ''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 ...

'' 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 ''Zoophagus'' is a genus of 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 ponds and s ...

'' (Dreschler) M.W. Dick *''

Zoophagus tentaclum ''Zoophagus'' is a genus of 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 ponds and s ...

'' Karling *''

Zoophagus tylopagus ''Zoophagus'' is a genus of 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 ponds and s ...

'' Xing Y. Liu & K.Q. Zhang

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q10724801 Zygomycota genera Zygomycota