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School of Molecular & Biomedical Science
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
AUSTRALIA 5005

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Dr David Ellis

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Rhizopus microsporus var. rhizopodiformis

Rhizopus microsporus var. rhizopodiformis is the second most frequently isolated zygomycete, accounting for between 10% and 15% of reported human cases (Scholer et al. 1983; Kwon-Chung and Bennett 1992). Colonies are dark greyish-brown, up to 10 mm high with simple rhizoids. Sporangiophores are brownish, up to 500 µm high and 8 µm wide, with 1-4 produced together. Sporangia are bluish to greyish-black, spherical and up to 100 µm in diameter. Columellae are pyriform comprising 80% of the sporangium. Sporangiospores are subglobose to globose, quite equal in size, up to 6 µm in diameter and minutely spinulose. Zygospores, when formed by crosses of compatible mating strains, are reddish-brown, spherical, up to 100 µm in diameter, with stellate projections and unequal suspensor cells. There is good growth at 45C with a maximum of 50–52C. RG-2 organism.

Sporangia showing sporangiophores, columellae, sporangiospores
and rhizoids of R. microsporus var. oligosporus.

Rhizopus microsporus var. rhizopodiformis

Mycosis: Zygomycosis

Further reading: