Stylopage

Stylopage is a polytypic genus of predacious fungus in the order Zoopagales, within the subphylum Zoopagomycotina. All known species of Stylopage subsist on various species of amoebae or nematodes by trapping their prey, typically using an adhesive substance that coats their vegetative hyphae, and absorbing nutrients through the projection of a haustorium. 17 extant Stylopage species have been described thus far.

==History and taxonomy== Stylopage was first described in 1935 by Charles Drechsler, with the discovery and growth of three new species – S. haploe, S. araea, and S. lepte – on media that had been grown from decaying vegetable matter found in temperate woodlands near Washington, D.C. The genus name refers to the presence of conidia on long, rod-like fertile hyphae, as well as its predatory nature. Drechsler initially placed Stylopage within the now-defunct Phycomycetes. Upon discovery of further Stylopage species, Drechsler placed the genus within the newly created family, Zoopagaceae. Identification and description of further Stylopage species has largely been determined based on similarities in conidial morphology and observed predatory behaviour. Stylopage has been described as both a predator and an obligate parasite. Regardless, all known species of Stylopage exhibit predatory behaviour towards either amoebae or nematodes.