1.2 Research objects
Nematode-Trapping Fungi (NTF) consist of eukaryotic microorganisms with terrestrial and aquatic biotypes belonging to the Orbiliaceae family. NTF are predatory microbes and, as their name suggests, prey on nematodes and other small organisms by producing trapping structures with their vegetative hypha. Globally distributed across various habitats and extreme environments, 101 NTF species have so far been reported, including those in the Arthrobotrys ,Drechslerella and Dactylella genera. All NTF species can be pure cultured and their morphological characteristics are observable under a low-magnification microscope. That NTF can be studied qualitatively and semi-quantitatively make them an ideal taxa for studying patterns in the spatial distribution of microbial diversity.