ABSTRACT
Dematiaceous fungi cover a large group of melanised fungal organisms that may be plant-infecting pathogens or freeliving saprobes. As a melanised, yeast-like fungal genus, Hortaea is a common plant pathogen in tropical and subtropical countries. Of the three recognized species within the Hortaea genus, Hortaea werneckii (previously incorrectly classi–ed in the genera of Cladosporium, Cryptococcus, Exophiala and Phaeoannlomyces) is occasionally responsible for a super–cial mycosis in humans known as tinea nigra. This fungus colonizes dead keratin cells, and produces hyperchromic plaques on the skin of the palms and soles, that may be mistaken for various types of pigmented birthmarks and moles (nevi) as well as melanomas.
