Airborne Ascomycotina on the island of Crete: Seasonal patterns based on an 8-year volumetric survey

An 8-year study was conducted on the island of Crete in order to identify airborne ascospores and to determine their seasonal pattern. A Burkard 7-day, volumetric spore-trap was continuously operated in the city of Irakleion - located in the center of the island - from 1994 through 2001. Relatively high ascospore counts (20 - 48 spores/m(3)) were obtained from mid-spring through summer, while the rest of the year exhibited lower activity (8-16 spores/m(3)). The predominant ascospores identified were those of Leptosphaeria and Chaetomium; their concentrations varied from I or 2 spores up to a few dozens of spores/m(3). Other spores encountered sporadically were: Ascobolus, Endophragmiella, Didymella, Diatrypaceae, Leptosphaerulina, Massaria, Pleospora, Sporormiella, Xylaria. The mean daily concentration of all identified ascospores was 30/m(3) for the entire study period, corresponding to 13.9% of the total fungal load. Ascospores have been recognized as important inhalant allergens and have been implicated as contributing to symptoms of both rhinitis and asthma.