Ascomycota, Pezizomycotina, Hypocreales, Stachybotryaceae. Genus: STACHYBOTRYS
Stachybotrys chartarum (Ehrenb.) S. Hughes
member of S. chartarum complex
Colony characteristics
Colonies (CMA, 7 d, 25°C) immersed, greyish brown to pale yellowish, with conidiophores forming on the surface of the medium, carrying drops of mouse grey to black conidial slime. Colonies (PDA) with vinaceous to salmon reverse.
Differential diagnostics
One of the prevalent Stachybotrys species; S. chlorohalonatus is distinguished on phylogenetic grounds.
Microscopy
Conidiophores erect, single or in groups, thin-walled, mostly unbranched, subhyaline to olivaceous brown, 1-3(-4)-septate, smooth-walled, 40-110 × 3-6 µm, bearing 3-6 conidiogenous cells. Conidiogenous cells phialidic, clavate to subclavate, subhyaline to olivaceous brown, smooth-walled, 9-14 × 3-6 µm, with conspicuous collarettes. Conidia
one-celled, ellipsoidal to subcylindrical, thick-walled, olivaceous to dark brown, verrucose, (8.0-)8.5-9.5(-11.0) × (3.0-)3.5-4.5(-5.0) µm. Sexual state unknown
Pathogenicity
RG-1, BSL-1. Toxin-producing colonizer of moist gypseum occasionally involved in allergy. Ayoubi (2019) reported on a scalp infection in an elderly patient.
Species complex
Clinically relevant members of the S. chartarum complex are: S. chartarum and S. chlorohalonatus.
Nomenclature
Stilbospora chartarum Ehrenberg – Sylv. Mycol. Berol. p. 21, 1818 ≡ Stachybotrys chartarum (Ehrenberg) S. Hughes – Can. J. Bot. 36: 812, 1958; type strain: CBS 182.80.