Did earthworms contribute to the parasitic evolution of dermatophytes?
The survival of dermatophyte species in the gut of four species of earthworms was studied by feeding the fungi to the earthworms. Recovery of the dermatophyte species in culture from the guts was only possible for Microsporum gypseum and Chrysosporium keratinophilum. In the light of these findings, we presume that earthworms could have influenced the parasitic evolution of certain dermatophytes.
Shankar
S G
SG
Department of Microbiology, The New College, Madras, MS University, Alwarkurichi, Tamil Nadu, India.
Ranganathan
S
S
Ranjith
M S
MS
Vijayalakshmi
G S
GS
D000818:Animals; D003883:Arthrodermataceae / Q000502:physiology*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002912:Chrysosporium / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D008864:Microsporum / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology