Keratinophilic fungi from Orissa, India, I: Isolation from soils.

Results of a preliminary survey of keratinophilic fungi in soils collected from five districts of Orissa, India, are reported. A total of 80 soil samples were examined, of which 51 samples (63.7%) were positive for keratinophilic fungi. Twelve species of fungi classified in seven genera were isolated: Aphanoascus reticulisporus (2.4%), Aph. terreus (1.2%), Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma tuberculatum (4.8%), Chrysosporium indicum (31.3%), Chrys. tropicum (18.0%), Chrys. evolceanui (1.2%), Gymnoascoideus petalosporus (9.6%), Microsporum gypseum (20.4%), Nannizzia spp. (3.6%), Pseudoarachniotus flavoluteus (3.6%), Pseudoarachniotus sp. (1.2%) and a new genus of gymnoascaceae (2.4%). Our isolation of Aph. reticulisporus is the first recorded in India.