
Tylencholaimellus
Some nematodes feed on fungi. Species include Tylencholaimellus sp. and Anomyctus xenurus.
Fungiverous nematodes can affect plant growth via the destruction of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi leading to reduced nutrient availability for the plant.
However, some species can be beneficial for pest control through destruction of pest fungal species. Fungal feeding nematodes are generally less abundant than bacterial feeding nematodes especially in highly disturbed soil systems such as convential agricultural soils. Fungivore
nematodes also contribute to nutrient mineralisation by releasing important plant nutrients such as nitrogen from fungal tissue. However, the contribution of nutrients such as nitrogen in agricultural systems is usually much greater by bacterivore nematodes than fungivore nematodes.
(Source: European Atlas of Soil Biodiversity|Section2: Organisms of the Soil)
Tylencholaimellus striatus -> Tylencholaimellus striatus Thorne, 1939
Tylencholaimellus affinis –> Tylencholaimellus affinis (Brakenhoff, 1914) Thorne, 1939
(Click on the pictures for an enlargement, © Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Nematology/Pictures: Hanny van Megen)