Synonym and Classification Data for Torula spp.

This genus is a mould that lacks a known sexual state and thus belongs to the Fungi Imperfecti. It is generally classified as a dematiaceous (dark-walled) fungus.

Synonyms and Teleomorph-Anamorph Relationships

Hormiscium is an obsolete synonym of this genus

Notes on this Genus

This genus has a difficult history. It was originally described in 1794 by Persoon (Obs. Myc. 1: 24, 1796). All the early authors used the genus to describe a species with dark-colored moniliform (toruloid, or characterized by a series of swollen cells) hyphae that tended to creep over bark, dead wood, or plant stems. The individual cells tended to break into arthrospores.

Unfortunately, Turpin used the name in 1838 to describe an organism found In beer. Pasteur picked up the name for a group of beer yeasts. Hansen extended this idea to include all asporogeneous yeasts, regardless of color!

As a consequence, all kinds of relatively unrelated fungi have synonyms in this genus. This explains how Cryptococcus albidus (for example) has a synonym in this mould genus!

Species in this genus

  • Torula aclotiana (obsolete)

    This obsolete species is a synonym of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa

  • Torula albida (obsolete)

    This obsolete species is a synonym of Cryptococcus albidus

  • Torula bantiana (obsolete)

    This obsolete species is a synonym of Cladophialophora bantiana

  • Torula corallina (obsolete)

    This obsolete species is a synonym of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa

  • Torula decolans (obsolete)

    This obsolete species is a synonym of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa

  • Torula herbarum

    Notes: This is the type species for this genus: (Pers.) Link ex S. f. Gray, 1821, Nat Arr. Br. Pl. 1: 557.

  • Torula humicola (obsolete)

    Notes: See note at Cryptococcus humicolus

    This obsolete species is a synonym of Cryptococcus humicolus

  • Torula jeanselmei (obsolete)

    This obsolete species is a synonym of Exophiala jeanselmei var. jeanselmei

  • Torula lecanii-corni (obsolete)

    This obsolete species is a synonym of Exophiala jeanselmei var. lecanii-corni

  • Torula ligniperda

    Notes: Causes stains of hardwoods

  • Torula luzulae (obsolete)

    Notes: Fuckel, 1870. Symb. Mycol., p. 348.

    This obsolete species is a synonym of Sagrahamala luzulae

  • Torula mansonii (obsolete)

    This obsolete species is a synonym of Exophiala castellanii

  • Torula mucilaginosa (obsolete)

    This obsolete species is a synonym of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa

  • Torula sanguinea (obsolete)

    This obsolete species is a synonym of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa