Phylum Zygomycetes
I. Features
Named because zygospore is produced, resulting from
fusion of gametangia. Mostly terrestrial saprophytes - some parasitic.
II. Examples.
A. Rhizopus stolonifera
Mycelium grown on substrate of various types of organic
matter- (yams, bread). Eventually a mass of aerial hyphae will be formed.
Once this mycelial mass is well formed, reproduction may occur.
1. Asexual Reproduction
Rather large hyphae grow just above the substrate, then
reestablish contact, at which points new hyphae will develop. These large
transverse hyphae are stolons. They are anchored to the substrate
by rhizoids, and vertical hyphae - the sporangiophores develop.
The tip of the sporangiophore swells, and a cell wall develops to separate
the developing sporangium from the sporangiophore. The cross-wall forms
a dome inside the sporangium, & this dome - the columella
- is the sporogenous zone.
2. Sexual Reproduction
Short hyphal branches of different mating strains swell &
come in contact. A cross wall develops across the tip of each hypha forming
gametangia.
The rest of the short hypha is now a suspensor. The cell wall between
the two gametangia dissolves, & the protoplasts unite, forming a zygote.
A zygospore is now formed. Germination of the zygospore begins with
meiosis. A short hypha and a sporangium are then formed, & the resulting
spores are dispersed, to begin he development of new mycelia.
B. Pilobolus - a dung fungus - the fungal cannon. Literally shoots
the sticky walled sporangium towards the light.
C. Entomophthora muscae - attacks insects - kills them, then
discharges spores in a manner like Pilobolus.
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