Studies on Rhizophydium and Phlyctochytrium (Chytridiales). II Comparative physiology

Abstract

A physiological comparison was made of five species of soil chytrids. Phlyctochytrium californicum, P. plurigibbosum, and P. acuminatum could be distinguished from each other and from two species of Rhizophydium by their pH optima, their thiamine requirements, and their differential growth on nitrate, on nitrite, and on the carbohydrates fructose, trehalose, cellobiose, glycerol, and lactose. Temperature optima and ranges were as variable among isolates of species as between species. Rhizophydium sphaerotheca and R. capillaceum were physiologically similar and could only be separated on their ability to use nitrate and fructose.