Isolation and characterization of a new fungal genus and species, Aphanoascella galapagosensis, from carapace keratitis of a Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra microphyes)

Med Mycol. 2013 Feb;51(2):113-20. doi: 10.3109/13693786.2012.701767. Epub 2012 Aug 2.

Abstract

A new fungal genus and species, Aphanoascella galapagosensis, recovered from carapace keratitis in a Galapagos tortoise residing in a south Texas zoological collection, is characterized and described. The presence of a pale peridium composed of textura epidermoidea surrounded by scarce Hülle cell-like chlamydospores, and the characteristic reticulate ascospores with an equatorial rim separates it from other genera within the Onygenales. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the analysis of D1/D2 sequences demonstrates that this fungus represents a new lineage within that order. As D1/D2 and ITS sequence data also shows a further separation of Aphanoascus spp. into two monophyletic groups, we propose to retain the generic name Keratinophyton for species whose ascospores are pitted and display a conspicuous equatorial rim, and thereby propose new combinations in this genus for four Aphanoascus species.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA, Fungal / chemistry
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / genetics
  • Keratitis / microbiology
  • Keratitis / pathology
  • Keratitis / veterinary*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Onygenales / classification*
  • Onygenales / cytology
  • Onygenales / genetics
  • Onygenales / isolation & purification
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Species Specificity
  • Spores, Fungal
  • Texas
  • Turtles / microbiology*

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer

Associated data

  • GENBANK/JQ864081
  • GENBANK/JQ864082