20.500.12556/RUL-183941 Exophiala as a polyextremotolerant fungal model ecology, adaptive strategies, and the emergence of “urban oligotrophic specialists” The genus Exophiala, a group of black yeasts, exemplifies the resilience of polyextremotolerant fungi, which thrive in diverse habitats, including polluted industrial sites, saline waters, and human-associated environments. Characterized by their ability to overcome fluctuations in pH, high salinity, temperature extremes, chaotropic conditions, and nutrient scarcity, Exophiala species serve as models for understanding fungal adaptations to polyextreme conditions. This perspective article reviews current knowledge on the Exophiala genus, highlighting key adaptations, including melanin-mediated protection against radiation and oxidative stress, the emerging role of extracellular vesicles in cellular communication, the influence of polymorphic transitions on environmental resilience and pathogenicity, and the molecular basis of Exophiala's adaptability and resilience. A central focus of this work is E. dermatitidis, which we propose as a model species for studying fungal adaptation to both natural and anthropogenic environments. Here, we introduce the concept of “urban oligotrophic specialist” to describe E. dermatitidis, emphasizing its ability to thrive in nutrient-limited human-made environments, including kitchens, dishwashers, bathrooms, and hydrocarbon-polluted sites. This unique ecological positioning reflects its adaptation to the Anthropocene, where increasing urbanization, pollution, and climate change are creating novel habitats for fungi. Its thermotolerance, biofilm formation ability, and hydrocarbon metabolism place E. dermatitidis at the intersection of polyextremotolerance and pathogenicity, raising concerns about its potential expansion in response to global environmental challenges. Understanding the biology of the genus Exophiala not only enhances our knowledge of fungal polyextremotolerance but also provides new perspectives into its implications for bioremediation, pathogenicity, and survival in extreme and anthropogenic environments. urban oligotrophic specialists Exophiala black yeasts E. dermatitidis melanin polyextremotolerant fungi adaptations to extreme conditions urbani oligotrofni specialisti črne plesni črne kvasovke poliekstremotolerantne glive prilagoditve ekstremnim razmeram true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2026-06-22 14:20:33 2026-06-22 14:20:42 2026-06-24 16:16:36 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2026 0 0 18 str. Vol. 56, art. 100487 Jun. 2026 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 579 1878-0253 10.1016/j.fbr.2026.100487 282454019 RAZ_Leon_Lyselle_Ruiz_de_2026.pdf RAZ_Leon_Lyselle_Ruiz_de_2026.pdf 1 48E1EC4F3208474FABD5846FC84CB0A2 f8772f215295972950527e69c24a57d55be23136343f3cd66d5cfd69217d24f3 c6d6a091-6e34-11f1-9b0d-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=236270 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1749461326000175 1 b822fe79-6e34-11f1-9b0d-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=236269 Biotehniška fakulteta 0 0 0