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Fungi: Classification

Dr. Amol. J. Deshmukh

Assistant Professor

College of Agriculture
Navsari Agricultural University,
Waghai (Dangs) – 394730.
Complete explanation of this presentation was also available on you tube
link………………………………

https://youtu.be/TizxjWwYrbg
 Fungi

Fungi are defined as microscopic, eukaryotic,

achlorophyllus, heterotrophic, unicellular or
multicellular organisms containing chitin or
cellulose in their cell wall and reproduce both
sexual and asexual means. Eg. Unicellular
Yeast and Multicellular moulds
Classification of fungi by different scientists

HCI Gwynne-Vaughan and B. Barnes, 1937

E. A. Bessey, 1950
G. M. Smith, 1955
Alexopolus, 1961-62
Lilian E. Hawker, 1966
Whittker, 1969
Greta B Stevenson, 1970
Ainsworth, 1973
Alexopolus and Mims, 1979
Alexopolus, Mims AND Blackwell 1996
After reviewing different fungal classification we have come to conclusion
with most accepted fungal classification based on types of mycelium
followed by presence of sexual and asexual reproduction in higher fungi…
and thus we will discuss following classification in detail
Characters OOMYCETES
Mainly Water moulds
Mycelium Aseptate/ coenocytic
Cell wall Cellulose & glucans
Sexual reproduction Gametangial contact
(oogamous fungi )
Asexual spore in sporangia Zoospore (motile)
Sexual spore Oospore (2n)
Flagella for locomotion Whiplash and tinsel type
Genus Pythium – Damping off of
vegetables
Phytopthora- Late blight of
potato
Sclerospora, Pernospora,
Plasmopara etc- Downy
mildew Albugo- White rust of
crucifers
Other characters if any
*In some of the fungal classification both oomyctes and zygomyctes came under the
group of lower fungi (Phycomycetes)
ZYGOMYCETES
Terestrial and saprophytic
Aseptate/ coenocytic
Cellulose & glucans
gametengial copulation
(conjugative fungi)
isogamy or heterogamy
Aplanospore (non motile)
Zygospore (2n)
Absent
Rhizophus (black bread mold)
also called as laboratory weed
and Mucor (dung mold and
corpophilus). Rhizopus -soft
rot of fruits, Mucor affects
internal organs of man. Both
of them cause fermentation
of alcohol and production of
various organic acids.
Produced a new sporangium
which bears meiospores and as
these fungi throws away
sporangia these fungi are also
called as squirting fungi
 P!
2n oospore
K!
Life cycle of Oomycetes
 aplanospores

Life cycle of Zygomycetes

Characters BASIDIOMYCETS ASCOMYCETS
Called as Club fungi/ exogenous fungi Sac fungi/ endogenous fungi
Mycelium Septate Septate
Cell wall Chitin Chitin
Sexual reproduction Somatogamy Gametangial contact
Asexual spore Conidia Conidia
Sexual spore Basidispore (n) Ascospore (n)
Produced four in numbers Produced eight in numbers
exogenously on club shaped endogenously in sac like
basidium on hair like structure called ascus in
elongated projections called ascocarp.
sterigmata
Fruiting body Basidium/ basidiom Ascocarps: Cleistothecium
(closed)/ Perithecium (ostiol)
/ Apothecium.
Diagnostic The presence of basidium Group of ascus present in
characteristics bearing basidiospores, Clamp fruiting body (ascocarp)
connections and doliopore enveloped by a sheath of
septa. sterile hyphae.
Includes Mushroom, rust and smut Powdery mildew fungi
fungi
*In some of the fungal classification both basidiomycetes and ascomycetes came
under the group of higher fungi where sexual reproduction is present
 Life cycle of Basidiomyctes

Basidium originates from a binucleated structure where the karyogamy and the meiosis occur.
The life cycle is characterized by the short diploid stage in the basidium and the prolonged
dikaryotic phase.
1. Ascomycetes reproduce by vegetative, asexual and sexual means.
2. Asexual reproduction occurs by fission, fragmentation, Chlamydospores or conidia formation.
3. Conidia arise from the somatic hyphae or the hyphal branches known as the conidiophores
Characters DEUTEROMYCETES
Called as Imperfect fungi/ mitosporic fungi
Mycelium Septate
Cell wall Chitin
Sexual reproduction Generally absent
Asexual spore Conidia
Asexula Fruiting body Acervullus, pycnidia etc
developed
Includes Colletotrichum – Anthracnose
Alternaria –Early blight of potato
Fusarium – Wilt diseases
*Some of the fungal Genera of Deuteromycetes group may produce
its sexual form it is called as Teleomorph of that fungus while it’s
asexual form is called as Anamorph
Eg. Colletotrichum (Anamorph)– Glomerella (Teleomorph)
Anamorph (Asexual form) Teliomorph (sexual form)

Life cycle of Deuteromycetes

Thank you