Studies in Mycology No. 61

Black fungi tend to be ecologically remarkable. Members of Dothideales / Capnodiales thrive under harsh environmental conditions, such as dryness, solar irradiation, high osmolarity or very low pH. Environments investigated range between Antarctic rock, Spitsbergen glaciers, Mediterranean saltpans, and even outer space. Mechanisms of stress tolerance are described, and new genera, species and varieties of extremotolerant fungi are reported. The human ‘infection’ tinea nigra by these species can be explained by halotolerant colonization. Members of the Chaetothyriales have ancestors with rock-dwelling life styles, but derived species are frequently found in human infections. Essential factors for ecology and evolution are described, such as oligotrophism, assimilation of aromatic hydrocarbons, and meristematic growth, and methods for selective isolation based on these features are proposed. Novel species are introduced, and tools for molecular identification are provided.