Alternaria Nees ex Wallroth, 1816

Alternaria is a genus of fungi that are found worldwide. Alternaria species are known as major plant pathogens. They are also common allergens in humans, growing indoors and causing hay fever or hypersensitivity reactions that sometimes lead to asthma. They are present in the human mycobiome and readily cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised people such as AIDS patients.

There were about 600 known species in the genus in 2023 (although in 2008 the Dictionary of Fungi only listed 299). They are ubiquitous in the environment and are a natural part of funga almost everywhere. They are normal agents of decay and decomposition. The spores are airborne and found in the soil and water, as well as indoors and on objects. The club-shaped spores are single or form long chains. They can grow thick colonies which are usually green, black, or gray.

At least 20% of agricultural spoilage is caused by Alternaria species, with the most severe losses reaching 80% of yield. Many human health disorders can be caused by these fungi, which grow on skin and mucous membranes, including on the eyeballs and within the respiratory tract. Allergies are common, but serious infections are rare, except in people with compromised immune systems. However, species of this fungal genus are often prolific producers of a variety of toxic compounds. The effects most of these compounds have on animal and plant health are not well known. Many species of Alternaria modify their secondary metabolites by sulfoconjugation; however, the role of this process is not yet understood. The terms alternariosis and alternariatoxicosis are used for disorders in humans and animals caused by a fungus in this genus.

Not all Alternaria species are pests and pathogens; some have shown promise as biocontrol agents against invasive plant species. Some species have also been reported as endophytic microorganisms with highly bioactive metabolites.

The genus is now known to be polyphyletic.

Other sources

Lawrence, DP; Park, MS; Pryor, BM (2012). "Nimbya and Embellisia revisited, with nov. comb. for Alternaria celosiae and A. perpunctulata". Mycological Progress. 11 (3): 799–815. Bibcode:2012MycPr..11..799L. doi:10.1007/s11557-011-0793-7. S2CID 18225986.

Lawrence, DP; Gannibal, PB; Peever, TL; Pryor, BM (2013). "The sections of Alternaria: formalizing species-group concepts". Mycologia. 105 (3): 530–546. doi:10.3852/12-249. PMID 23687125. S2CID 31226062.

Asan, A (2015). "Checklist of Alternaria Species Reported From Turkey". Mantar Dergisi. 6 (2): 43–57. doi:10.15318/Fungus.2015214064.