Chapter XII 

 ASYMMETRICA 



Sub-section: FASCICULATA 



Members of the Fasciculata are characterized by the aggregation of part 

 or all of the conidiophores into erect bundles or fascicles. Appearances 

 range from colonies showing rudimentary bundles of conidiophores giving 

 a granular, tufted or rough appearance to the white growing margin, to 

 others with definite coremia mixed with simple conidiophores, to a few 

 species in which all or nearly all of the conidiophores are aggregated into 

 more or less sharply marked coremia. Gradually we have come to believe 

 that descriptions in which the colonj^ is reported as "granular," "mealy," 

 or "tufted," as well as the variations upon such words as coremia, coremi- 

 form, flabelliform, and Isariaeform, are all more or less descriptive of the 

 appearance given to the surface of the growing colony by the fasciculation 

 of its conidiophores. 



Doubts regarding allocation of species are certain to arise since ques- 

 tionable forms are encountered in this as in every other group of cosmo- 

 politan species. Some series within the Fasciculata tend to merge im- 

 perceptibly into one another; furthermore, no sharp lines of demarcation 

 exist between this sub-section and the Velutina, the Lanata, or the Funicu- 

 losa. Because of this variability and the intergradation of forms, certain 

 arbitrary assignments have to be made. These are based upon what 

 seems to be the consensus of all useful diagnostic characteristics. The 

 Fasciculata includes a great multitude of strains differing in rate and habit 

 of growth, and in color of conidial areas and colony reverse. Despite 

 this, some lines of division seem to be more or less stable, and to separate 

 fairly well-defined series. Within these series, certain described forms 

 constitute centers for the recognition of species, or aggregates of strains 

 that possess common morphology" and show a general agreement in physi- 

 ological activity, but often differ in shade of color and in the quantity of 

 mycelium and spores produced. 



Some cultures have been maintained in the laboratory for many years 

 without substantial change. Other cultures vary markedly, and after a 

 few successive transfers may leave the worker doubtful of the continuity 

 of the strain which he seeks to maintain pure. 



As a working basis for separation, w^e are arranging the species assigned 

 to the group into nine series, in each case centered about the member- 

 species which is most commonly encountered or is the most characteristic. 

 In most of these series the aerial growth on Czapek's solution agar consists 



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