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Carnivorous fungus facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
20100828 005957 Fungus
A fungus of the genus Arthrobotrys, showing adhesive nets which it uses to trap nematodes.  Numbered ticks are 122 µm apart.

Carnivourous fungi are fungi that get some of their nutrients from trapping animals. These animals are microscopic, or very small. Over two hundred species are known.

Two basic trapping mechanisms have been observed in carnivorous fungi that are predatory on nematodes:

  • constricting rings (active traps)
  • adhesive structures (passive traps)

 (815 KiB) Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 14(1): 8-11. [reprinted from Carolina Tips, Carolina Biological Supply Company]

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