Functional and genetic bases of nematophagy in Pleurotaceae (PhD research)

Nematode-trapping fungi make up a polyphyletic group of organisms that are united by their ability to capture and consume nematodes. The trapping devices range from simple adhesive structures, such as knobs and stalks, to complex structures, such as constrictive rings and adhesive networks. Some nematode-trapping fungi produce toxic droplets that paralyze nematodes upon contact. Most of the studies in nematode-trapping fungi have focused on Ascomycota, including the well-known genus, Orbilia Fr.

In mushroom-forming fungi, specifically in Agaricales, Stropharia rugosoannulata, Coprinus comatus, and members of Pleurotaceae are reported to trap and consume nematodes.  I found that even though Stropharia rugosoannulata and  Coprinus comatus produce the structures reported in the previous studies, but they neither trapped nor consumed any nematodes. For my research, I am using Pleurotaceae as a model system to understand the evolution of carnivorism in mushroom-forming fungi. For this, I am using an integrated approach including cultural studies, metabolomics, comparative genomics, and transcriptomics