Nematophagous Fungi From Farm Soils in the Lower North Island New Zealand

Abstract

This study examined the ecology, biology, and taxonomy of nematophagous fungi isolated from farm soils in the lower North Island New Zealand. The study aimed to further the understanding of a group of fungi, which since their first predacious activity was noted by Zopf in 1888. have acquired much attention due to their fascinating association with nematodes and their potential to control economically significant parasitic nematodes. Nematophagous fungi make up a taxonomically diverse group of mostly anamorphic (asexual) Hyphomycetes. Some species have recognised teleomorph (sexual) associations with basidiomycetes and ascomycetes, with other species belonging to the Oomycetes and Zoopagles. The importance of taxonomic work to nematophagous fungi relates to the perceived usefulness of the organisms to human activities. The high level of interest currently has resulted in detailed appraisals of the taxonomy of the often-difficult anamorphic fungal species. This however does not imply that the taxonomy is resolved. More recent genetic work has introduced many revisions to traditional morphological keys, where the delineation of a "species' using molecular tools is not yet clear. Further taxonomic work needs to include many aspects of species delimitation.