Molds are eukaryotic organisms from the kingdom of fungi, found in diverse environments. Among xerophilic species adapted to arid habitats, Aspergillus destruens and Aspergillus vitricola colonize surfaces such as painting canvases, thanks to osmotic regulation, flexible metabolism, and efficient nutrient utilization. In this master’s thesis, we investigated the genetic and phenotypic variability of these species to determine whether they represent distinct species or complexes of multiple species. Morphological species identification was based on macro- and microscopic colony characteristics, while molecular analyses included the examination of ITS regions and genes such as BenA, CaM, and RPB2. Genetic analyses using GMYC, bGMYC, ABGD, and PTP methods suggest the presence of genetically diverse strains within both species, indicating the potential existence of multiple species. For A. destruens, we identified a division into two genetic groups based on beta-tubulin and calmodulin, while the ITS region showed no differences. The type group exhibits specific enzymatic activities and siderophore production, whereas the non-type group lacks these traits and is ecologically restricted to Slovenia. In A. vitricola, we detected three genetic groups, with differences between groups 2 and 3 indicating intraspecific variability, while the greater differences with group 1 suggest the potential existence of two species. Phenotypic differences among the groups include growth on specific media and enzymatic activities.
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