Sample ID: 56
Possible ID: Aspergillus sp.
Classification:
Phylum Ascomycota
Class Eurotiomycetes
Order Eurotiales
Family Trichocomaceae
Isolation and culturing method:
Isolated from an air sample taken on top of a heater in the Rooke Biology building basement for 3 hours. The sample was serially diluted with water and plated on malt extract agar + chloramphenicol. Plate was left alone for a week and then a small volume of hyphae was excised from the agar and transferred to achieve a pure culture.
Culture appearance and growth:
Grey/brown colored fungus grew quickly, but experienced no growth or overgrowth after 2 weeks. Hyphae grew slightly above agar. Hyphae 1.5 um wide, with very thinly walled septa. No clamp connections present.
Spore production:
Ovular spores measuring 5-10 um in diameter. Conidia seen present at the end of hyphal tips.
Update: DNA sequencing suggest that the sample is Cladosporium herbarum with 99% query cover and 100% identity. Cladosporium is a genus in the Ascomycota and below is a picture obtained from google images.
