Spiromyces R. K. Benj.

Notes.

Based on morphological characteristics, Spiromyces was proposed by Benjamin (1963) with Spiromyces minutus R. K. Benj. as the type species and was initially accommodated in Kickxellaceae (Kickxellales). Subsequently, O’Donnell et al. (1998) demonstrated that S. aspiralis Benny & R. K. Benj. and S. minutus formed a distinct clade, which was separated from other members of Kickxellales in the phylogenetic tree of the 18 S rDNA sequence analysis. Species of Spiromyces are characterized by erect or ascending sporophores, sessile or stalked sporocladia producing several pedicellate merosporangia by budding, and globose to slightly ovoid merosporangia. Members of Spiromyces were collected multiple times on mouse dung in Japan, Pakistan, and southern California (O’Donnell et al. 1998).