Aspergillus niger. Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of fruiting bodies of the fungus Aspergillus niger. Here, fruiting bodies (conidia) occur on the tips of hyphal filaments; they contain masses of spores which are released into the air. Species of Aspergillus fungus are common in household dust, in the soil and found on decaying vegetable material such as bread mould. A. niger is also found in the human outer ear and can become pathogenic causing otitis externa, otherwise known as otomycosis (a fungal infection and inflammation of the outer ear canal). Magnification: x60 at 6x7cm size. x100 at 4x5"~LANDSCAPE"