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A new species of Penicillium, P. ramulosum sp. nov., from the natural environment

     Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa

Francois Roets

     Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa

Karin Jacobs

     Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa

During a recent survey of Penicillium spp. from fynbos soils in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, several undescribed species were isolated. Similar isolates of one of these species also were collected in the Western Cape from Protea infructescences. These strains were compared morphologically to known species of Penicillium but could not be identified with previously published keys. Morphologically these strains belong to subgenus Biverticillium. They are distinguished by strongly funiculose colonies covered by glutinous exudates and conidiophores with thin acerose phialides (8.5–10[–12] x 2.0–2.5 µm) that give rise to chains of subspheroidal to ellipsoidal conidia (2.5–3.0 x 1.5–2.5 µm). Characteristically short (100–150[–250] µm) determinate synnemata are produced in culture after prolonged incubation with much longer synnemata produced in nature. Based on differences in morphology and molecular characters, the strains are described here as Penicillium ramulosum sp. nov.

Key words: fynbos soil, Penicillium cecidicola, P. dendriticum, Protea burchellii, Riesling grapes, South Africa, Western Cape