Computer illustration of the dermatophyte fungus Epidermophyton floccosum. The fungus causes superficial infections of the skin and nails and is one of several species responsible for ringworm, jock itch and athlete's foot. The thread-like structures visible are hyphae, the vegetative elements of the fungus. The larger, club- like structures are a type of asexual spore known as a macroconidium.