Geomyces

Geomyces is a genus of fungi in the phylum Ascomycota. It comprises several species that are typically saprotrophic and occur in cool or cold environments. Members have been isolated from soil, leaf litter, animal nests, and cave surfaces. Many Geomyces species are psychrophilic or psychrotolerant, able to grow at low temperatures where other fungi are inactive.

Morphologically, Geomyces species form hyaline to pigmented hyphae and reproduce asexually by conidia produced on simple or branched conidiophores; sexual forms are rarely described for many species.

Notable species include Geomyces pannorum, commonly found in soil and associated with decaying organic matter. Geomyces destructans gained attention as the agent historically linked to white-nose syndrome in bats; however, molecular studies have led to its reclassification as Pseudogymnoascus destructans, and it is no longer placed in Geomyces.

Taxonomic status of Geomyces has been revised with advances in DNA sequencing, and several species formerly assigned to Geomyces have been moved to other genera within the same broader fungal group. Consequently, the genus Geomyces serves as a historical taxon in mycology, with ongoing phylogenetic reevaluation.

Ecology: Geomyces species contribute to nutrient cycling in cold ecosystems and are primarily environmental fungi; they are usually not primary pathogens of humans, though opportunistic infections have been reported rarely.