Keratinophilic Chytrids. III. Rhizophydium nodulosum sp. nov.

Abstract

R. nodulosum* n. sp. is a keratinophilic saprophyte which was isolated from frozen muck soil and fresh water from Van Cortlandt Park, New York City. It grows readily on keratinized substrata such as hair and skin but not on chitin, cellulose, or various types of nutrient agar media. It is characterized structurally by hyaline, smooth, nodular and angular zoosporangia with several prominent exit papillae which give the sporangia their typical shape and appearance. Resting spores are unknown. Its sporangia may become heavily parasitized by another small chytrid which is characterized by elongately citriform, obpyriform, oval or elongate, operculate sporangia and minute branched or un-branched rhizoids. The resting spores of the parasite are unknown. It is provisionally named Chytridium rhizophydii n. sp.