Uncinocarpus

{{Short description|Genus of fungi}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image = Uncinocarpus reesii microscopic.jpg

| image_caption = Uncinocarpus reesii strain UAMH 160 in phase contrast microscopy showing hooked ascomatal appendage and Malbranchea anamorph

| taxon = Uncinocarpus

| authority = Sigler, G.F.Orr & Carm. (1976)

| type_species = Uncinocarpus reesii

| type_species_authority = Sigler & G.F.Orr (1976)

| subdivision_ranks = Species

| subdivision =

U. orissi

U. queenslandicus

U. reesii

U. uncinatus

}}

Uncinocarpus is a genus of fungi within the Onygenaceae family.{{cite journal |vauthors=Lumbsch TH, Huhndorf SM |date=December 2007 |title=Outline of Ascomycota – 2007 |journal=Myconet |volume=13 |pages=1–58 |url=http://archive.fieldmuseum.org/myconet/outline.asp |publisher=The Field Museum, Department of Botany |location=Chicago, USA}} The name is derived from the Latin word uncinus, meaning "hook" and the Greek word karpos (καρπός), meaning "fruit". It was distinguished from the genus Gymnoascus based on keratinolytic capacity, ascospore morphology and the development of hooked, occasionally spiraling appendages. Alternatively, Uncinocarpus species may possess helically coiled or smooth, wavy appendages, or lack appendages altogether, an example of such species being U. orissi.

Being a close non-pathogenic relative of the pathogenic dimorphic fungi Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii, which cause Coccidioidomycosis, it is used in genomic research to help develop human vaccination,{{cite journal | url=http://www.jcvi.org/cms/publications/listing/abstract/article/comparative-genomic-analyses-of-the-human-fungal-pathogens-coccidioides-and-their-relatives/ | title=Comparative Genomic Analyses of the Human Fungal Pathogens Coccidioides and Their Relatives | author=Sharpton, T. J. | author2=Stajich, J. E. | author3=Rounsley, S. D.| journal=Genome Research |date=October 2009 | volume=19 | issue=10 | pages=1722–31 | doi=10.1101/gr.087551.108 | pmid=19717792 | pmc=2765278|display-authors=etal}} which might alleviate the Valley fever silent epidemic.{{cite web | url=https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/pdf/cocci-fact-sheet-sw-us-508c.pdf | title=Fungal pneumonia: a silent epidemic - Coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) | publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | access-date=11 July 2013}}