Umbelopsis isabellina (Oudem.) W. Gams, in Meyer & Gams, Mycol. Res. 107(3): 349 (2003).

Colony initially white, with a velvety aspect, becoming light gray to dark gray after 12 days at 28 °C in a BDA; reverse cream. Sporangiophores simple or monopodially branched, rarely sympodially branched, with seven to nine arising from the same point, 100–230 μm in length, 2.3–5 μm in width, the base commonly wider than the apex. Sporangia hyaline, some light gray, globose, wall deliquescent with a vitreous appearance. Columellae absent, when present, hemispherical and smooth-walled, 1.9–3.5 μm in diam. Sporangiospores mainly globose 2,3–4 μm in diam., ellipsoidal, 3.5 × 2 μm, angular, up to 3.6 μm in diam. Chlamydospores and zygospores absent.

There are several records worldwide of this species. We suggest it as Least Concern (LC).

The species in known in 17 countries. In Brazil, it is known in 1 of the 26 states.

There are about 274 records of this species in GBIF.

Commonly soil, some endophytic.

In Brazil, this species is moslty recorded in the Caatinga.

Most records are in Caatinga.

The species, has a worldwide distribution. However, studies about its population distribution are needed.

Umbelopsis isabellina is characterized by the ability to accumulate lipids, producing precursors of biodiesel from agricultural residues (MEEUWSE et al., 2012). Grantina-Ievina et al. (2014) highlighted the production of arachidonic acid by specimens of U. isabelina and U. ramanniana. In addition,  Umbelopsis isabellina has the potential for the degradation of pollutants nonylphenol (NP), 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP) and 4-cumylphenol (4-CP) and in the production of biodiesel ( PAPANIKOLAOU et al., 2019).

MEEUWSE, P.; AKBARI, P.; TRAMPER, J.; RINZEMA, A. Modeling growth, lipid accumulation and lipid turnover in submerged batch cultures of Umbelopsis isabellina. Bioprocess and biosystems engineering, v. 35, n. 4, p. 591-603, 2012.
GRANTINA-IEVINA, L.; BERZINA, A.; NIKOLAJEVA, V.; MEKSS, P.; MUIZNIEKS, I. Production of fatty acids by Mortierella and Umbelopsis species isolated from temperate climate soils. Environ Exp Biol, v. 12, p. 15-27, 2014.
PAPANIKOLAOU, S.; AGGELIS, G. Sources of microbial oils with emphasis to Mortierella (Umbelopsis) isabellina fungus. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, v. 35, n. 4, p. 63, 2019.