Abstract

CORYNESPORA AERIA: A NEW SPECIES RECORDED AMONGST AERO MYCOFLORA OF KERALA, INDIA.

Swapana S.* and Nair N. Neeta

ABSTRACT

Aero-mycology is the study of dispersal and distribution of fungal spores in the air and their dependence on meteorological data like temperature, rainfall, relative humidity etc. Since Louis Pasteur’s practical demonstration of presence of microbes in the air, the hunt for airborne fungi has begun and in the new millennium, it has gathered momentum. More than 20-30% of the world population is known to suffer from one or other allergic ailments such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis etc. Major causative agents are pollen grains fungal spores, dust mites, insect debris and other plant fragments and foods etc. Detailed information on the daily, seasonal and annual variation of different bioparticulates in the atmosphere is prerequisite, for effective diagnosis and therapeutic management of allergic ailments. Aerobiological investigations have been carried out in different parts of country to ascertain aerial concentration and seasonality of pollen and fungal spores. In the present investigation, a new species of genera of fungus, Corynespora was isolated and identified in October, 2013 as the dominant aero mycoflora from aero mycoflora of Thaluk Hospital, Pathannamthtta district, Kerala. The fungal culture was taxonomically identified and characteristic features were described.

Keywords: Aero-mycoflora, air borne fungi, allergic ailments, Corynespora aeria, hyphomycetes.