Novel Mucoralean Fungus From a Repugnant Substrate: Mucor merdophylus sp. nov., Isolated From Dog Excrement.

The repeated observation of dog dung covered by abundant white cottony mycelium in a private garden in the city of Rio de Janeiro, state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) prompted an investigation to clarify the identity of the fungus involved. Three different species of mucoralean fungi (together with some ascomycete asexual morphs) were present. Two were identified as belonging to Mycotypha sp. and Thamnostylum sp., and the third belonged to Mucor sp. This publication deals with the full taxonomic elucidation of the latter. Based on morphological, physiological, and molecular data (ITS and LSU rDNA regions), it was recognized that this Mucor differed from all other species. It produces strongly sympodially circinate branched sporangiophores (some with up to four septa) with numerous swellings resembling abortive sporangia. It also has cylindrical, obovoid, pyriform, or ovoid columellae and its sporangiospores are mostly ellipsoid, although some are subglobose and others are irregular. Based on the evidence of the analyzed datasets, the new species Mucor merdophylus is hereby proposed.