Chytridiomycota

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Chytridiomycota is a division of the Fungi kingdom. The name is derived from the Greek words chytridion, meaning "little pot", referring to the structure that contains unreleased zoospores. Chytridiomycota are unique among fungi in having zoospores that are motile.

Characteristics[edit | edit source]

Chytridiomycota are mostly aquatic fungi, and their spores are capable of active movement. They are the only group of fungi that have retained flagellated spores (zoospores), similar to those found in animals and some protists.

Classification[edit | edit source]

Chytridiomycota are typically classified as follows:

  • Kingdom: Fungi
  • Division: Chytridiomycota

Ecology[edit | edit source]

Chytridiomycota play a significant role in the decomposition of organic materials, such as dead plants and animals, and in nutrient cycling. They are also known to be parasites of all eukaryotic groups.

Pathogenic species[edit | edit source]

Some species of Chytridiomycota, such as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, are pathogenic and can cause diseases in amphibians, leading to significant population declines and extinctions.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Chytridiomycota Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD