ZYGOSPORES - THE LAST WORD IN IDENTIFICATION OF RARE OR ATYPICAL ZYGOMYCETES ISOLATED FROM CLINICAL SPECIMENS

Three zygomycetes (order Mucorales), isolated from clinical specimens, whose generic or species identification were uncertain, were definiti vely identified on the basis of the production of zygospores resulting from mating studies. These three isolates were identified as Mucor ci rcinelloides f. circinelloides, Rhizomucor pusillus, and Absidia corym bifera. The production of true zygospores, the ''last word'' in zygomy cete taxonomy, should be considered as a diagnostic tool for the defin itive identification of rare, unusual, or atypical heterothallic zygom ycetes. Practical considerations, however, limit this method to refere nce laboratories.