A PUTATIVE DERMATOPHYTE-LIKE MACROCONIDIUM ON ACERENTOMON ITALICUM (HEXAPODA: PROTURA)

A putative dermatophyte-like macroconidium was observed adhering to the prothoracic tarsus of a female Acerentomon italicum specimen extracted from a soil sample collected in Alessandria Province (Piedmont, northwestern Italy). The morphology and position of the propagule are described, and the finding is discussed in relation to the known association of Protura with soil fungi. Because the specimen was detected on a permanent slide and no culture or molecular identification was possible, its attribution to a dermatophyte must be regarded as provisional. The observation nevertheless raises the hypothesis that Protura may occasionally carry fungal propagules on their cuticle.