Mycetophagy in Filenchus misellus (Andrássy, 1958) Lownsbery & Lownsbery, 1985 (Nematoda: Tylenchidae), with notes on its morphology

Population growth rates on fungal colonies and morphological characteristics were investigated in a member of the genus Filenchus (Tylenchidae) collected from decomposing rice straw in Fukushima-city, northern Japan. The nematode was identified as F. misellus on the basis of the great similarity in morphological measurements to the known populations of the species. Population growth rates were measured 40 days after inoculating nematodes on to seven fungal species cultured in Petri dishes at 25oC. Growth rates were high on Chaetomium globosum and Coprinus cinereus, intermediate on Pleurotus ostreatus and Rhizoctonia solani and low on Agaricus bisporus, Fusarium oxysporum and Pythium ultimum. The ability of the nematode to feed on fungi in decomposing organic matter suggests the possibility for alternative life history strategies and greater ecological amplitude for members of Filenchus and other genera of Tylenchidae.