Geomyces

Geomyces is a genus of filamentous fungus in the family Myxotrichaceae. Members of the genus are widespread in distribution, especially in northern temperate regions.  Known to be psychrotolerant and associated with Arctic permafrost soils, they are equally prevalent in the air of domestic dwellings, and children's sandpits.  Species of Geomyces have previously been placed in the genus Chrysosporium.Using phylogenetic analyses of ribosomal DNA sequences, Geomyces species have been implicated in the biodeterioration of antique and optical glass.  Feeding off organic residues ubiquitously present on historical glass, such as dust or dead fungal and bacterial material, fungal colonization by Geomyces may ultimately lead to etching, pit corrosion, or the formation of cracks or patinas due to secretion of acidic metabolic byproducts, or penetration of fungal mycelia into the paint layer.

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