Trichophyton mentagrophytes is frequently isolated from dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and other rodents,[2][3][4] though at least some genetic variants possess the potential of human-to-human transmission, e.g.

Along with closely related T. interdigitale, the species has been traditionally treated as a part of polyphyletic assemblage, named "T. mentagrophytes sensu lato".

The fusion of haploid nuclei (karyogamy) preceding meiosis occurs in the penultimate cell of a typical crozier, an anatomical feature of the sexual phase of many fungi in the Division Ascomycota.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes is one of three common fungi which cause ringworm in companion animals and frequently isolated from dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and other rodents.

[2][3][4] While it is considered a zoophilic species, it is also the second-most commonly isolated fungus causing tinea infections in humans, and at least some genetic variants possess the potential of human-to-human transmission, e.g.