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Systematics of Penicillium and Aspergillus — Past, Present and Future

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Modern Concepts in Penicillium and Aspergillus Classification

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSA,volume 185))

Summary

The great pioneers in the systematics of Penicillium and Aspergillus were Charles Thom and Kenneth B. Raper, who together developed the first workable and widely accepted taxonomies of these genera. Both were instrumental also in the development of culture collections for these industrially important fungi. Raper made the invaluable contribution of developing freeze drying techniques suitable for fungi, and this has proved to be of great practical importance. However, they also left a legacy of nomenclatural and taxonomic problems which have been addressed only recently. Moreover, inherent difficulties in achieving consensus on species concepts and on identification of isolates have provided a challenge for modern students of these genera.

This paper describes the new approaches which have led to clarification of the systematics of these genera. On the one hand, increased awareness of the principles of priority, typification and type specimens has helped to bring order to nomenclature. On the other, the use of gross physiological characters, secondary metabolites and isoenzyme patterns has greatly assisted in clarifying taxonomy. Collaborative studies on difficult aspects of both genera have been initiated both by individuals and under the control of an international working group, the Subcommission on Penicillium and Aspergillus Systematics.

Great progress has been made. In particular, the taxonomy of the important and notoriously difficult subgenus Penicillium has now become firmly established, and criteria for differentiating aflatoxin producing and nontoxigenic Aspergillus species have been clarified.

The immediate end of all this work lies in a better understanding of relationships within these genera, and improved identifications. The wider benefits lie in a greater knowledge of the role of particular species in food spoilage, toxicology, biodeterioration, biotechnology and ecology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Food Processing, CSIRO, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia

    J. I. Pitt

  2. Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, 3740 AG, Baarn, The Netherlands

    R. A. Samson

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  1. J. I. Pitt
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  2. R. A. Samson
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Baarn, The Netherlands

    Robert A. Samson

  2. Division of Food Processing, CSIRO, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia

    John I. Pitt

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Pitt, J.I., Samson, R.A. (1990). Systematics of Penicillium and Aspergillus — Past, Present and Future. In: Samson, R.A., Pitt, J.I. (eds) Modern Concepts in Penicillium and Aspergillus Classification. NATO ASI Series, vol 185. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-3579-3_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-3579-3_1

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