Verrucocephalum, a new nematophagous genus in the Helicocephalidaceae (Zoopagales)

Abstract

A new genus Verrucocephalum is proposed for a fungus which was found from bat dung collected in a limestone cave. The type species, V. latericorvinisporum has darkly pigmented spores and aseptic hyphae that branch and capture nematodes by means of appressoria. These morphological characteristics match the definition for the family Helicocephalidaceae (Zoopagales, Zoopagomycotina). The genus can be distinguished from three previously known genera in the family by its broad-based tapering sporophores with darkly pigmented verrucose spores born on short lateral branchlets. The branchlets may be homologous to the papillae seen in genus Rhopalomyces.