Syncephalastrum is a filamentous fungus found in soil and animal feces, primarily in tropical regions, and is classified under the family Syncephalastraceae. It reproduces asexually through sporangiospores and is rarely associated with human disease, affecting primarily immunocompromised individuals. The optimal growth occurs at 25-30°C, and it is typically cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar.

1. PRESENTATION
TOPIC – Syncephalastrum
Submitted to - Dr. Divya Singh
Submitted by – Ashish Kumar choudhari
Msc. Microbiology 1sem

2. CONTENT
• Introduction
• Classification
• Features
• Life cycle and reproduction
• Disease
• Culture
• Cherectarstic

3. INTRODUCTION
Syncephalastrum is a filamentous fungus that is commonly isolated
from soil and animal feces particularly in tropical and subtropical
areas.
• It is a heterothallic fungus and requires a mating strain to produce
zygospores.
• It is very rarely associated with human disease Cutaneous infection
and onychomycosis.
• The genus Syncephalastrum contains a single species
Syncephalastrum recemosusum.

4. Classification
• Kingdom – Myceteae
• Division – Amastigomycota
• Sub- division – Zygomycotena
• Class – Zygomycetes
• Order – Mucorales
• Family – Syncephalastraceae
• Genus – Syncephalastrum

5. FEATURES
1. Taxonomy: Belongs to the Mucoraceae family within the
Zygomycetes class of fungi.
2. Species: The most notable species is Syncephalastrum
racemosum.
3. Habitat: Found in soil, decaying organic matter, and sometimes in
indoor environments.
4. Morphology: Characterized by branched hyphae and a distinctive
conidiophore structure that bears conidia (asexual spores).
5. Diagnosis: Identified through culture and microscopic
examination of specimens.

6. LIFE CYCLE AND REPRODUCTION
Asexual reproduction
Syncephalastrum produces an abundant aerial mycelium –
Sporangiophores.
Sporangiophores terminate in swollen vesicles
Merosporangia (finger-shaped, tubular sporangia) develop from
swollen vesicle.
Each merosporangium contains a single row of 3-18
merosporangiospores.
• Merosporangiospores are one celled and spherical to cylindrical in
shape

7. Sexual reproduction
• Plasmogamy
• Karyogamy
• Meiosis
•

8. Disease
Infection Type: Syncephalastrum is considered an opportunistic pathogen,
which means it typically affects individuals with weakened immune
systems, such as those with diabetes, cancer, or undergoing
immunosuppressive therapies.
1. Symptoms: Infections can manifest in various ways, depending on the
site of infection. Common symptoms may include:
2. Fever
3. Pain or swelling in the affected area
4. Respiratory issues if lungs are involved
• Sinus symptoms if the sinuses are affected

9. Culture
Growth Medium: It is typically cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose
Agar (SDA), which supports fungal growth.
Temperature: Optimal growth occurs at around 25-30°C.
• Colony Morphology: Colonies are generally white to light brown
initially and may darken to gray or black as they mature.

10. Cherectarstic
Sporangia Structure: This fungus has globe- or barrel-shaped sporangia
that produce spores.
Hyphal Structure: The hyphae are non-septate (without partitions),
which distinguishes it from other fungi like Aspergillus.
Asexual Reproduction: It primarily reproduces asexually through
sporangiospores.
1. Pathogenicity: While generally considered non-pathogenic, it can
cause rare infections in immunocompromised patients.

11. Thankyou