Keratinophilic Chytrids. III. Rhizophydium Nodulosum Sp. Nov.

Abstract

Rhizophydium nodulosum sp. nov. is a keratinophilic saprophyte which was isolated from frozen muck soil and freshwater 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 citriforn, obpyriform, oval or elongate, operculate sporangia and minute branched or un-branched rhizoids. The resting spores of the parasite are unknown so that it is not certain whether this chytrid is a species of Chytridium or Chytriomyces. Nevertheless, it is included provisionally in Chytridium and named Chytridium Rhizophydii.