Possible ID: Aspergillus
Classification:
Phylum Ascomycota
Class Eurotiomycetes
Order Eurotials
Family Trichomaceae
Isolation and culturing methods:
Isolated from a soil sample that was taken from the soil right outside of the ELC at Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA). The soil sample was serially diluted by water and then plated on an agar plate. The plate was untouched for a week and then a small amount of hyphae was taken and put on a smaller agar plate to obtain a pure culture. This extraction of hyphae was done twice to reassure that it was a pure culture and was free from contamination.
Culture appearance and growth
The pure culture is a dark green color that has white hyphae growing out of it. The hyphae are septate but there do not seem to be any clamp connections. Hyphae are about 2.5 – 3 micrometers wide. The hyphae do not seem to grow out far in distance as they do not cover the plate and only grow around where they are originally placed.
Spore production
The spores are only 1-2 micrometer in diameter which is consistent with the Aspergillus species. Specifically, the spores are arranged in a defining conidiophore as seen in the microscopic image. In general, the spores are very light and small. However, when many of them are clumped together, such as in the conidiophore, they appear darker.
Collector: Manya Group: RM2S
