Aspergillus
Genus of fungi / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Aspergillus (/ˌæspərˈdʒɪləs/) is a genus consisting of several hundred mold species found in various climates worldwide.
Aspergillus | |
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Conidial head of Aspergillus niger | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Eurotiomycetes |
Order: | Eurotiales |
Family: | Aspergillaceae |
Genus: | Aspergillus Micheli ex Haller (1768) |
Species | |
Synonyms[1] | |
List
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Aspergillus was first catalogued in 1729 by the Italian priest and biologist Pier Antonio Micheli. Viewing the fungi under a microscope, Micheli was reminded of the shape of an aspergillum (holy water sprinkler), from Latin spargere (to sprinkle), and named the genus accordingly.[2] Aspergillum is an asexual spore-forming structure common to all Aspergillus species; around one-third of species are also known to have a sexual stage.[3] While some species of Aspergillus are known to cause fungal infections, others are of commercial importance.