Its conidiospores appear brown to black and are produced in chains on the surface of a ball-like structure called a vesicle . Rhizopus is an example of a mold that produces sporangiospores. Although usually nonpathogenic, it sometimes causes opportunistic wound and respiratory infections in the compromised host. Its produces brown or black sporangiospores within sacs called sporangia . Anchoring structures called rhizoids are also produced on the vegetative hyphae.
Rhizopus can also reproduce sexually.
The dermatophytes are a group of molds that cause superficial mycoses of the hair, skin, and nails and utilize the protein keratin. The three common dermatophytes are Microsporum, Trichophyton , and Epidermophyton . They may produce large leaf or club-shaped asexual spores called macroconidia as well as small spherical asexual spores called microconidia, both from vegetative hyphae . Microsporum commonly infects the skin and hair, Epidermophyton , the skin and nails, and Trichophyton , the hair, skin, and nails. Dermatophytic infections are acquired by contact with fungal spores from infected humans, animals, or objects.