Saprophytic and keratinolytic fungi associated with animals hair from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The study explores the types of fungi, specifically saprophytic and keratinolytic, found on the hair of different animals sourced from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Research Methodology

• The researchers collected hair samples from a range of animals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to study the presence of different fungi. The variety of animals included rabbits, sheeps, camels, and horses.
• A total of fifty-one specimens were examined: 19 from rabbits, 13 from sheep, 12 from camels, and 7 from horses.

Identified Fungi

• From these specimens, the researchers were able to identify forty-eight species and one variety of fungi, spanning 24 genera.
• The most prevalent genera were Aspergillus and Chrysosporium.
• The researchers also located other genera, although in a lower frequency. These included Thermoascus, Scopulariopsis, Alternaria, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Botryotrichum, Fusarium, Ulocladium, and keratinophilic fungi such as the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Arthroderma.

Significance

• This study provides valuable information on the types of saprophytic and keratinolytic fungi associated with animal hair collected from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• The data can be used to investigate further the ecology of these fungi and their potential impact on the health of these animals and any humans or other animals they may interact with.
• This study also contributes to the wider understanding of fungi distribution among different host animals and geographical locations.