Re-examination of some species of the genus Geotrichum Link: Fr.

The nutritional physiology and the growth rate of thirty-four strains representing species of Geotrichum without known teleomorph states were examined. From twenty-seven strains the mol% G+C were calculated from the DNA melting curves. The first derivatives of the melting curves of seven strains, including the type strain of Geotrichum clavatum, demonstrated the presence of two peaks, 12% away from each other; the remaining strains showed only a single broad peak. DNA homology values among strains of the former group were high, indicating their conspecificity. The strains of the latter group could be subdivided into six DNA homology groups, four of which could be identified with recognized species and two may represent novel taxa. A combined key of Geotrichum and its teleomorph states Galactomyces and Dipodascus is presented.