some nematophagous fungi produce toxic substances which immobilise nematodes. for example, the hypha of the shaggy ink cap ("coprinus comatus") attacks the free-living soil nematode "panagrellus redivivus" with a structure known as a spiny ball; this is used to damage the nematode cuticle to enable immobilisation, after which the hypha pierces the skin and digests the contents.