Fungus Fact Friday

Tagged: zygo

fungi in the defunct phylum Zygomycota

Aspergillus sp. conidia 1

Fungus Fact

#161: Opportunistic Fungal Infections

This October, I will be discussing human fungal infections. Although fungi can be extremely problematic for certain species of animals and plants, fungi cause humans relatively few problems. There are roughly 300 species of fungi that cause disease in humans, but the most common ones cause nuisance infections of the skin. About 20-25% of the global population has a fungal skin infection like ringworm, athlete’s foot, and similar diseases. Although annoying, these infections are not very severe. There are a few fungi that cause more severe diseases, but these are much less common. The most dangerous type of fungal infections are the opportunistic infections. These are caused by normally benign fungi that take advantage of unusual conditions, such as when a patient has a weakened immune system.

#141: Pilobolus spp., the Hat Throwers 0

Fungus Fact

#141: Pilobolus spp., the Hat Throwers

Fungi in the genus Pilobolus grow on the dung (they are “coprophilous”) of herbivores and are well-known for their unique spore dispersal mechanism. Using highly specialized spore-bearing hyphae, the fungus can launch globs of spores up to 3m (10ft) away!  Its genus name literally means “Hat Thrower,” which is also used as a common name.  Another common name is “Shotgun Fungus,” but that can also be applied to Sphaerobolus spp. (FFF#122), so I recommend against using that name.

#016: Characteristics of the Defunct Phylum Zygomycota 0

Fungus Fact

#016: Characteristics of the Defunct Phylum Zygomycota

It has recently been demonstrated that the four subphyla historically classified as zygomycota do not make up a monophyletic group. As a result, the phylum zygomycota is no longer used. However, it has not yet been replaced by other phyla. The terms “zygomycota” and “zygomycetes” are therefore only used informally to reference this diverse group of fungi. The distinctive characteristic of the zygomycetes is their method of sexual reproduction (if a sexual stage exists). Their hyphae are almost always haploid. When two compatible (and haploid) hyphae meet they form gametangia, which fuse and become diploid. However, the diploid hypha is immediately isolated from the rest of the fungus. This isolated hypha then undergoes meiosis and develops into one zygospore. The zygospore is usually thick-walled and undergoes an obligatory period of dormancy before it germinates. This helps the spore survive for a long time in adverse conditions. Zygos also tend to...