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Physiological studies of the Gymnoascaceae with an overview on their ecology

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Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

The family Gymnoascaceae, is related to the dermatophytes. Anamorphs of certain members lie inChrysosporium, Microsporum andTrichophyton. The members of the family are world wide in distribution. They live as saprophytes on various Keratinous substrates, dung, droppings and in soil. Often they are isolated from clinical sources of human and animal. Therefore these fungi have been regarded as “potential pathogens and opportunistics”. Thus the family is important. Studies on Gymnoascaceae have been mostly confined to morphological and taxonomical details. Investigations on the physiology of its various members are limited, though such studies are called for. The present paper reviews the physiological studies so far conducted in the family dating back to the year 1893. The early investigators confined their studies to nutritional requirements of certain species. Later workers employed nutritional biochemical behaviour of different species and strains as a parameter for clarifying taxonomic confusions. The biochemical behaviour is genetically controlled and may have a bearing on taxonomy. More recently a theoretical study was undertaken to analyse the growth patterns quantitatively. Equations for growth curves of certain species were obtained. The relevance of undertaking such numerical methods is appreciated in view of the facts that these predictions can give clues on certain taxonomical and behavioural patterns.

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  1. Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, 110 002, New Delhi, India

    Gouri Rani Ghosh

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Ghosh, G.R. Physiological studies of the Gymnoascaceae with an overview on their ecology. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 94, 197–207 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03053137

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