The Penicillium Funiculosum Complex — Well Defined Species and Problematic Taxa

Summary

The morphology and production of secondary metabolites of 96 isolates of Penicillium funiculosum and related taxa have been examined. On basis of both morphology and chemistry P. pinophilum and P. minioluteum are kept separate. P. varians placed in synonymy with P. funiculosum by Pitt (1979), proved to be morphologically distinct from P. funiculosum by its strongly pigmented stipes, cylindrical conidia and by its secondary metabolite production. Isolates FRR 1714 and CBS 642.68 both ex type of P. minioluteum proved to be different. Both isolates were believed to represent the original Biourge isolate no. 60. CBS 642.68 fully fits the original description of the species, but FRR 1714 resembles Penicillium rubrum sensu Raper and Thorn. P. allahabadense is kept as a separate species and not included in P. pinophilum, because it differs from P. pinophilum in growth rate at 37°C and the shape of conidia. P. diversum is characterized by its poor growth on Czapek agars. The species accepted are shortly described and illustrated, while isolates of P. funiculosum from major culture collections were reidentified. A list of mycotoxins and other secondary metabolites specific for each species is given.