Methods to Quantify Nematophagus Fungi in Soil: Microscopy or Gus Gene Activity

Nematodes are common soil inhabitants. Some feed on microorganisms and others are parasites of plants and animals (Stirling, 1991). Nematophagous fungi are parasites of nematodes and are found in almost every soil. They can be divided into three groups: 1) The nematode-trapping fungi, which capture nematodes by means of hyphal traps. These fungi live to varying degrees as saprophytes. 2) The endoparasitic fungi, which parasitize nematodes using minute conidia or zoospores and are obligate parasites (Barron, 1977; Gray, 1988). 3) Egg and female parasites which use their hyphal tips to infect the nematodes. These fungi live also as saprophytes (Morgan-Jones and Rodriguez Kabana, 1988).