The small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA) from 15 species of nematode-trapping fungi and closely related non-parasitic species were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that species within the genera of Arthrobotrys, Dactylaria, Dactylella, Monacrosporium and Duddingtonia formed a monophyletic and isolated clade among an unresolved cluster of apothecial ascomycetes. The phylogenetic patterns within this clade were not concordant with the morphology of the conidia nor the conidiophores, but rather with that of the infection structures. The results from the different methods of tree reconstruction supported three lineages; the species having constricting rings, the non-parasitic species and the species having various adhesive structures (nets, hyphae, knobs and non-constricting rings) to infect nematodes.