An ultrastructural study of cell-cell interactions in capture organs of the nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora

Abstract A detailed ultrastructural analysis was made of interactions between individual cells within the same adhesive network (trap) of the nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora . These interactions were confined to traps which had captured nematodes, and occurred concurrently with the fungus-nematode interactions. The process was initiated by the anchoring of 2 cells of different loops constituting the trap network, by means of the adhesive coating of these cells. Subsequently, penetration tubes were formed. As in nematode-fungus interactions, the walls of these tubes arose from underneath the original trap cell walls. Two response were observed: either only one of the anchored cells formed a penetration tube, which penetrated the opposite cell and subsequently digested its contents; or both cells formed penetration tubes simultaneously, which were directed against each other. In the latter case, no penetration of other cells was observed, and elongated tubes were occasionally formed. The above mechanism differed from 2 other modes of interaction also observed, namely fusion of intact cells (anastomosis) and development of new hyphae inside dead hyphal cells. In the latter case the newly formed cells developed from the cross-wall of the neighbouring intact cell.