title: Species-specific PCR to describe local-scale distributions of four cryptic species in thePenicillium chrysogenumcomplex.
abstract: Penicillium chrysogenumis a ubiquitous airborne fungus detected in every sampled region of the Earth. Owing to its role in Alexander Fleming's serendipitous discovery of Penicillin in 1928, the fungus has generated widespread scientific interest; however its natural history is not well understood. Research has demonstrated speciation withinP.chrysogenum, describing the existence of four cryptic species. To discriminate the four species, we developed protocols for species-specific diagnostic PCR directly from fungal conidia. 430Penicilliumisolates were collected to apply our rapid diagnostic tool and explore the distribution of these fungi across the London Underground rail transport system revealing significant differences between Underground lines. Phylogenetic analysis of multiple type isolates confirms that the 'Fleming species' should be namedPenicillium rubensand that divergence of the four 'Chrysogenum complex' fungi occurred about 0.75 million yr ago. Finally, the formal naming of two new species,Penicillium floreyiandPenicillium chainii, is performed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alexander G P
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Henk
keywords: Alexander Fleming; London Underground; Mycology; Penicillium chrysogenum; Phylogeny; Taxonomy