Taxonomy of Exophiala spinifera and its relationship to E-jeanselmei

Using ITS1-2 sequence comparison, fifteen strains of Exophiala spinifera we re found to be nearly identical to the type strain, CBS 899.68. Phaeococcom yces exophialae, based on type strain CBS 668.76, constituted a separate su bgroup at a short distance; the taxon may be maintained at the variety leve l. Members of both groups can be entirely yeast-like or possess well-differ entiated conidiophores. Strains from human and animal infections all were i dentified as E. spinifera s. str. No teleomorph is known; affinities to rel ated Capronia species are discussed. A number of environmental strains with E. spinifera-like morphology could as yet not be identified. Exophiala jea nselmei is found to be a close relative of E. spinifera. Physiological prof iles for phenetic recognition of E. spinifera are provided.