Perforation and Destruction of Pigmented Hyphae ofGaeumannomyces graminisby Vampyrellid Amoebae from Pacific Northwest Wheat Field Soils

Abstract

Vampyrellid amoebae were isolated from 2 Pacific Northwest wheat [Triticum aestivum] field soils by burying pigmented hyphae of G. graminis var. tritici as bait for 4-8 wk. The amoebae caused holes (average diameter 1.7 .mu.m) and numerous annular depressions (incomplete holes) in the hyphae. The annular depressions, holes and the amoebae that caused them all matched those previously described from Scotland and Canada. The amoebae caused perforations of conidia of Cochliobolus sativus in water cultures. The time from initial contact of a hyphal cell by the pseudopodium of an amoeba until the cell was empty of contents ranged 40-90 min.