Fungal parasites of rotifers: a new genus of Hyphomycetes endoparasitic on Adineta

Pseudomeria is described as a new genus of Hyphomycetes recovered from soil. The type species, Pseudomeria mucosa, is parasitic on a bdelloid rotifer belonging to the genus Adineta. Conidia of this species are enveloped in mucus and initiate infection by lodging in or near the mastax of the host. Twenty-four hours after infection short, unbranched conidiophores radiate from the cuticle of the host. Conidiophores consist of up to eight cells and cease growth after about 48 h. On submerged conidiophores conidia are not produced. When conidiophores become exposed to air, in shallow water or as a result of drying, each cell of the conidiophore produces a narrow conidiogenous apex forming an acropetal succession of globose conidia.