Aspergillaceae

Aspergillaceae is a family of filamentous fungi in the order Eurotiales, within the class Eurotiomycetes of the phylum Ascomycota. Members are predominantly saprotrophic or opportunistic pathogens that form molds with characteristic conidiophores bearing chains of conidia. The best‑known genus in the family is Aspergillus, the type genus, which includes numerous species of ecological and industrial importance. Penicillium is another major genus in the group and is well known for producing antibiotics and for many cheese‑making species.

Morphology within Aspergillaceae commonly features conspicuous asexual reproduction via conidia on specialised hyphae. In Aspergillus, conidiophores terminate in a vesicle bearing a layer of phialides that produce chains of conidia. Penicillium species typically form brush‑like, branched conidiophores with metulae and phialides yielding delicate conidial masses. Some members also have sexual (teleomorphic) life cycles that generate asci and ascospores, though asexual reproduction is more frequently observed in nature.

Ecology and distribution are broad; the family includes fungi found in soil, decaying vegetation, indoor environments, and foods. They participate in decomposition and nutrient cycling, but some species produce mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins by certain Aspergillus flavus strains, and others can cause human or plant diseases.

Economic and medical relevance is significant. Penicillium species have been sources of antibiotics (e.g., penicillin) and are used in cheese production, while Aspergillus species range from industrial workhorse strains to opportunistic pathogens causing aspergillosis, particularly in immunocompromised hosts. Ongoing taxonomic revisions reflect advances in molecular phylogenetics, refining relationships within Eurotiales and the delineation of genera within Aspergillaceae.