Fungi

Fungi First fungi were

probably flagellated. – First fossils – 480

million years ago (Ordovician Period)

– Molecular Clock suggests 1 billion years ago (Precambrian).

General Characteristics Primarily

terrestrial Filamentous

– hyphae coenocytic septate

– mycelium– haustoria

Fungal Hyphae

General Characteristics(animal-like)

Heterotrophic– absorption

(saprobes)– parasitic– mutualistic

Cell Wall: Chitin Store sugar as

glycogen

Fungal Reproduction Asexual

– haploid spores (conidia/sporangia) Sexual

– plasmogamy (dikaryon)– karyogamy (diploid)– Syngamy (diploid)

Fungal ClassificationChytrids

Nuclerariids ZygomycetesFungi

Opisthokonts GlomeromycetesChoanoflagellates AscomycetesAnimals

Basidiomycetes

Fungal Classification

Division: Chytrids

Have flagella Coenocytic hyphae or unicellular Cell wall: chitin Saprobes or parasites May be most primitive fungi

Division: Zygomycetes

Division: Zygomycota Coenocytic Fungi Mostly terrestrial (live

on decaying material Example: Rhizopus

(Black bread mold) Uses: birth control pills,

meat tenderizers, margarine coloring

Division: Glomeromycetes Arbuscular mycorrhizae

– Coenocytic Fungi– Mutualistic - associated

with plant roots– increases surface area

for the absorption of water and nutrients

Division: Ascomycetes

Diviison: Ascomycetes Septate fungi (sac

fungi) Saprobes, mutualistic Examples: Dutch Elm

Disease, yeasts, truffles, some molds

Uses: pathogens, food, cooking

Division: Ascomycetes(Deuteromycota)

Imperfect fungi (no sexual cycle) Examples: Penicillium, Aspergillus, Predatory fungi

Division: Basidiomycetes

Division: Basidiomycetes Septate Fungi (Club

fungi) Saprobes, parasites,

mutualistic Examples: mushrooms,

toadstools, puffballs, shelf fungi, rusts, smuts

Uses: Food

Division: Basidiomycota Fairy Rings

Lichen Mutualistic -

association with a green algae or cyanobacteria and an ascomycota or basidiomycota

Pioneer organisms

Microsporidia Are they Fungi?

– Parasitic Loss of organelles Tiny organelles derived

from mitochondria– Cause disease in people

with immune deficiency– Used as pest control

Ecological Impacts

Decomposers Pathogens Food Production