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The effect of fungal parasitism and predation on the population dynamics of nematodes in the activated sludge process
Author(s) -
GRAY N. F.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1984.tb05596.x
Subject(s) - biology , predation , population , parasitism , nematode , ecology , ciliate , predator , biological pest control , host (biology) , botany , demography , sociology
SUMMARY Nematophagous fungi, both predators and endoparasites, were found to be common components of activated sludge. Although rotifers and ciliate protozoa (both potential prey) were also abundant, no fungi were parasitic on these organisms. Endoparasitic fungi, which were far more abundant than predators, were able to infect nematodes and complete their life cycles successfully. Neither of the predatory fungi observed were able to produce conidia: an unidentified net‐forming species lived saprophytically and failed to capture any prey, although it played a minor role in the formation of microbial flocs, and a single conidium of Dactylella mammillata was observed to capture a nematode by spontaneous trap formation. Several endoparasites were recorded although single species dominated each sludge examined; these were Meria coniospora and Catenaria anguillulae. Both endoparasites were related to the population dynamics of the nematodes with 100% of the nematode population becoming infected at certain times. Clear predator (parasitetprey (host) associations were discernible and these are discussed.