Morphological and molecular characterization, predatory behaviour and effect of organic extracts of four nematophagous fungi from Mexico

Abstract Four nematophagous fungi (NF) were identified by traditional and molecular techniques, and their in vitro predatory activity (PA) against Haemonchus contortus (Hc), and Panagrellus redivivus (Pr) was assessed. Additionally, the nematocidal activity (NA) of fungal organic extracts (OEs) obtained from a methanol/dichloromethane system was assessed. Fungi were grown in PDB medium under shaking (SchC) and static conditions (StatC). The PA of Arthrobotrys conoides (Ac), A. oligospora (Ao), A. arthrobotryoides (Aa) and Purpureocillium lilacinum (Pl) against Hc were 75, 71, 66 and 52%, respectively. Meanwhile, the PA against Pr for same fungal genera/species were 99.8, 99.9, 99.4 and 96.3%, respectively. The highest NA of the OEs were 89.5, 81.6 and 72.1% for Aa, Ac and Ao, respectively, under StatC. Moreover, Pl cultured under SchC caused 78% Hc larval mortality. The four assessed NF and their OEs are promising candidates as potential biocide agents against parasitic nematodes.