Guanine plus cytosine content of the DNA of Coccidioides immitis.

Abstract

The mole per cent guanine plus cytosine was determined for DNA extracted from Coccidioides immitis to add information pertinent to the taxonomy of this zoopathogenic fungus. Four strains of C. immitis, three in the mycelial phase, one in the spherule/endospore phase yielded guanine plus cytosine in the narrow range of 49.41 to 49.61 mole percent. These values are lower than those for ascomycetes that mimic the arthroconidial form of C. immitis, higher than those for ascomycetous yeasts, but closer to those of 'transition zone' or basidiomycetous yeasts.