Sterols of selected species of Oomycetes and Hyphochytridiomycetes

The sterols of ten species of Oomycetes and two of Hyphochytridiomycetes were analyzed following normal growth. Some of the fungi were also grown on a lanosterol or cycloartenol supplement. The sterol content of most species examined was similar to those found by other investigators, except that sterols of the ergostane series were also observed. A new sterol was detected in one species. In general, the organisms showed a preference for cycloartenol rather than lanosterol utilization. This preference is discussed as a potential tool for delineation of phylogenetic relationships.