Studies on Temperature Requirements, Odor Production and Zygospore Wall Undulation of the Genus Basidiobolus

SUMMARY

Eight ATCC cultures and 169 isolates of Basidiobolus from lower vertebrates were cultivated on Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar to determine the temperature of best growth (25 or 37 C) and occurrence of the Streptomyces-like odor commonly associated with the genus. Zygospore walls of all isolates were also evaluated for degree of undulation. Several of our isolates grew better at 37 C and in some the production of odor was altered or lost. Most of our isolates produced zygospores with undulate walls while others produced either undulate and smooth walls or smooth walls exclusively. Temperature requirements (25 vs. 37 C), odor production and zygospore wall undulation are apparently not valid as determinative characters for species identification.