Ecological groups of fungi

• Relatively little is known of the effects of the environment on the distribution of

fungi that utilize dead organic material as food .
• Most saprotrophic fungi are widely distributed throughout the world, only requiring
that their habitats have sufficient organic content to support their growth.
• However, some saprotrophs are strictly tropical and others are strictly temperate-
zone forms; fungi with specific nutritional requirements are even further localized.
• Although the optimum temperature for growth of most fungi lies at or above 20 °C, a
large number of species are able to grow close to or below 0 °C (32 °F). The so-called
snow molds and the fungi that cause spoilage of refrigerated foods are examples of
this group.
• Certain other effects of temperature are also important factors in determining the
habitats of fungi. Many coprophilous (dung-inhabiting) fungi, such as Pilobolus,
although able to grow at a temperature of 20–30 °C, require a short period at 60 °C
(140 °F) for their spores to germinate.
5 major ecological groups of fungi
• Soil fungi
• Lignicolous Fungi
• Entomogenous Fungi
• Coprophilous Fungi
• Aquatic Fungi
SOIL FUNGI
Soil fungi can be grouped into three
general functional groups based on
how they get their energy.
Decomposers – saprophytic fungi –
convert dead organic material into
fungal biomass, carbon dioxide
(CO2), and small molecules, such as
organic acids. These fungi generally
use complex substrates, such as the
cellulose and lignin, in wood, and
are essential in decomposing the
carbon ring structures in some
pollutants.
Mutualists – the mycorrhizal fungi – colonize
plant roots. In exchange for carbon from the
plant, mycorrhizal fungi help solubolize
phosphorus and bring soil nutrients
(phosphorus, nitrogen, micronutrients, and
perhaps water) to the plant. One major group of
mycorrhizae, the ectomycorrhizae, grow on the
surface layers of the roots and are commonly
associated with trees.
Ectomycorrhizae are important for nutrient absorption by
tree and grape roots. The fungus does not actually invade
root cells but forms a sheath that penetrates between plant
cells. The sheath in this photo is white, but they may be
black, orange, pink, or yellow.
The third group of fungi, pathogens
or parasites, cause reduced
production or death when they
colonize roots and other organisms.
Root-pathogenic fungi, such as
Verticillium, and Rhizoctonia, cause
major economic losses in
agriculture each year. Many fungi
help control diseases. For example,
nematode-trapping fungi that
parasitize disease-causing
nematodes, and fungi that feed on
insects may be useful as biocontrol
agents.
Lignicolous fungi

Fungi that not only grow on wood

but permeate its fibrous structure
and actually cause decay, are called
lignicolous fungi.
Lignin is quite resistant to the attack
of fungi and other microorganisms.
However, certain specific fungi
(mostly higher fungi) are
responsible for bringing about its
distribution. The wood of trees is
decayed by such fungi.
For example Armillaria mellea
Entamogenous fungi

The fungi associated with insects

are known as entomogenous fungi.
The most important example of this
type is Entomophthora muscae on
house fly.
Flies attached by this fungus are
generally seen in moist weather
attached to glass window panes
surrounded by a white halo about 2
cm. in diameter formed by the
discharged conidia.
Coprophilous Fungi

Coprophilous fungi (dung-loving

fungi)[1] are a type of saprobic
fungi that grow on animal dung.
The hardy spores of coprophilous
species are unwittingly consumed
by herbivores from vegetation, and
are excreted along with the plant
matter.
Example: Conocybe rickenii
Aquatic fungi
Aquatic fungi are microscopic
organisms with mostly mycelial
growth and hyphae developing on
or within their typically submerged
organic substrates of plant or
animal origin. Resident aquatic
fungi are able to complete their life
cycle in freshwaters and often have
special adaptations for growth,
sporulation, and dispersal in aquatic
environments.
Example Zygomycotina