Fungi Classification - Phycomycetes
Description:
Phycomycetes are also known as algal fungi and are characterized by presence of aseptate coenocytic hyphae. Sexual reproduction can be isogamous or heterogamous. Heterogamous type of reproduction is of two types anisogamous and oogamous.
Phycomycetes is divisible into two groups, oomycetes and zygomycetes.
Oomycetes
Mycelium is coenocytic. They are multinucleated and aseptate.
Many members of oomycetes have hyphal wall made of cellulose and other glucans.
Asexual reproduction involves the formation of spore containing sacs or sporangia.
Zoospores are generally biflagellate with heterokont flagellation, in which one flagella is smooth and the other is of tinsel type.
Sexual reproduction occurs by gamentangial contact in which the antheridium passes its product into the female oogonium, through a fertilization tube.
The product of sexual reproduction is oospore.
Zygomycetes
Mycelium is coenocytic. They are multinucleated and aseptate.
Hyphal wall contains chitin or fungal cellulose.
Mitospores are non-motile. They are called sporangiospores as the spores are formed inside sporangia borne at the tips of special hyphae called sporangiophores.
Sexual reproduction occurs through conjugation.
Gametes are multinucleated and are called coenogametes.
Sexual reproduction produces a resting diploid spore called zygospore.