CUNNINGHAMELLA BRUNNEA SPEC. NOV.-A POSSIBLE PRODUCT OF ECOLOGICAL SPECIALIZATION

Abstract

The name Cunninghamella brunnea spec. nov. has been given to a new phaeosporous merosporangiferous Mucorales isolated from ‘Usar’ soils (pH 8.0-9.0), Lucknow, India. The new species is characterized by the presence of large greyish-brown spores and the absence of vesicles and oil-globules in the hyphae. This species is considered to have evolved as an ecological specialization in response to high temperature and intense solar radiation conditions prevailing in these soils.