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.