Keratinophilic fungi in soils of Yemen Arab Republic

Thirty‐six species belonging to 15 genera of keratinophilic fungi were collected from 50 soil samples gathered from different places of Yemen by using hair fragments as baits at 28 °C. Six species of true dermatophytes were collected: Arthroderma lenticulare (= Trichophyton terrestre), Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. equinum, T. rubrum, T. soudanense and Microsporum gypseum . Numerous Keratinophilic fungi were isolated namely: Aphanoascus terreus (= Chrysosporium indicum), Aphanoascus species ( = C. tropicum), A. fulvescens ( = C. keratinophilum), Chrysosporium pannicola, C. pruinosum, C. carmichaelii, C. lucknowense, C. xerophilum, C. asperatum, Athroderma cuniculi ( = C. anamorph of Arthroderma cuniculi ), A. curreyi ( = C. anamorph of Arthroderma curreyi ) and Pectinotrichum Ilanense ( = C. anamorph of Pectinotrichum Ilanense ). The commonest saprophytes in order of frequency were member of the genera Aspergillus, Alternaria, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Cunninghamella, Fusarium, Ulocladium and Macrophomina .