Morphological observations on Absidia corymbifera and Absidia blakesleeana strains preserved under mineral oil
Macro‐ and micromorphology of 30 living subcultures of Absidia corymbifera (10 strains plus three strains of Absidia ramosa) and Absidia blakesleeana (two strains) preserved under mineral oil at room temperature for periods ranging from 3 to 44 years in The Fungal Culture Collection of Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC) were observed and described by permanent mycological preparations mounted in a glycerol 10% and/or Amann lactophenol solution. Vegetative and asexual reproductive structures are illustrated by drawings made with the aid of a camera‐lucida. The study showed that the period of maintenance under mineral oil and the stress which took place during the period of storage did not affect the vegetative and asexual reproductive morphology of the Absidia strains and species studied here.
Microorganisms surviving for 5300 years.
Recently, the well-preserved corpse of a prehistoric man with an age of approximately 5300 years bp was discovered in the Central European Alps. Analysis of materials associated with the individual has revealed the presence of microorganisms which are believed to have survived since the time of death. So far, two fungi have been isolated and identified as species of the genera Chaetomium and Absidia, respectively. In addition, we have obtained one bacterial isolate which we have identified as a Streptomyces species. Our findings demonstrate that microorganisms can remain viable under appropriate circumstances for thousands of years. The isolates may enable us to study evolutionary trends within microorganisms.
Seasonal fluctuations of airborne fungal allergens
A Burkard jet spore sampler was set up as a volumetric ‘viable’ spore trap at two alpine sites of lower (582/872 m) and two sites of higher altitude (1905/1960 m). A total of 46 fungal genera or groups were identified, and the seasonal fluctuations of eighteen of the most frequent fungi at low altitude plotted as a ‘spore calendar’. Total yearly colony counts at high altitudes were only 23·1% of those at low altitude. The dominant genera at the four sites indicate an ‘alpine type’ of airspora with Epicoccum Aureobasidium and Phoma predominating, with Alternaria and Botrytis of minor importance. Genera, such as Gonatobotrys, Spiniger, Syncephalastrum and Wallemia , which have never previously been detected in aerobiological surveys, were recorded. The results provide valuable information for diagnosis, therapy and prophylaxis of allergic diseases.