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The impact that aeroallergenic fungi have on human health is of interest to health institutions for understanding how aeroallergenic fungi relate to respiratory health problems such as atopic asthma. This study provides a preliminary assessment of the diversity of airborne fungal conidia and hyphal fragments in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming. Air samples were collected from various areas in the Black Hills with special attention paid to areas of disturbance that result in increased dust production (e.g., surface-mining activity, agricultural field tilling). DNA was extracted from the samples and the ITS regions of the nuclear ribosomal DNA and the D1-D2 region of the ribosomal large subunit DNA were amplified using PCR. The amplified regions were sequenced and compared to sequence databases which facilitated the identification of the fungal genera present. Thus far, the following fungi have been identified: Debaryomyces hansenii, a member of the genus Davidiella (the telomorph of Cladosporium), and a member of the Order Saccharomycetales. All of these fungal spores contribute to allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems in humans. These results contribute to an understanding of the diversity of aeroallergenic fungi present in the Black Hills area during different times of the year and under different atmospheric levels of dust and will be shared with health institutions in the surrounding area in order to provide better resources for diagnosing respiratory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]