Incidence of Microascus/Scopulariopsis Species Complex (Microascales:Ascomycota) in Fitted Carpet Dust From Residential Houses and Mosques in Duhok Province, Iraq

One hundred samples of carpet dusts (50 samples from residential houses and 50 samples from mosques) were surveyed for the presence of the potentially pathogenic fungi Microascus/Scopulariopsis species complex (Microascales:Ascomycota). The samples were collected from different sites in Duhok province,Kurdistan region,Iraq, during September, 2014 to May, 2015. Four species of Microascus (M.brunneosporus, M.cirrosus, M.pyramidus and M.paisii) and three species of Scopulariopsis (S.asperula, S.brevccaulis and S.flava) were identified. Acaulium acremonium (=Scopulariopsis acremonium) was also detected. The diagnostic features of the reported species based on micro-morphological features of their reproductive structures were provided. M.brunneosporus represents a new record for the Iraqi mycobiota. The identified species were reported in several publications as potentially pathogenic to human.