Influence of temperature on growth, morphology and pigmentation of some species of black yeast-like fungi

The influence of different temperature conditions (from 5 to 37 degrees C on the growth, morphology and pigmentation of some black yeast-like fungal species (13 strains) was investigated. Fungi were isolated from radioactively polluted and control (clean from radionuclides) sites. The temperature optimum of fungal growth was established. In correspondence with such optimum the mesophilic and psychrotolerant strains were found. Studied strains were refered to three groups according to comparis on results of growth temperature optimum and intensity of melanin EPR signals. The lack of coincidence of temperature optimum and maximum level of melanin pigmentation in most of studied strains was established.