Classification of Fungi:
Many classification have been propounded by different scientists from time to time.In this chapter, the classification given by Alexopoulus is followed. C.J. Alexopoulas (1962 and 1968) placed all the fungi under division-Mycota. The salient features of mycota are minute thallus, unicellular or filamentous, nucleus with distinct nuclear membrane, chitinous cell wall, reproduction both asexual and sexual etc. Division – mycota is divided into 2 subdivision viz – My ⇒ xomycetes & Eumycotina.
(A) Subdivision – Myxomycotina : Plant body is in the form of nacked protoplasm called plasmodium. 1 class ⇒ Myxomycetes – Vegetative phase is Plasmodium. Reproduction takes place by very small multi nucleated spores.
Example – Physarum
(B) Subdivision – Eumycotina : Vegetative phase is either unicellular or branched mycelium with distinct cell wall. Hyphae are coenocytic or septate. Each cell may be uni, bi or multinucleated.
Reproduction by spores (asexual) and gametes (sexual) It has been divided into eight natural classes and one
form-class –
1. Class – Chytridiomycetes.
Motile cells with single whiplash flagellum placed posteriorly.
Example – Synchytrium.
2. Class – Hypochytridiomycetes.
It includes aquatic fungi. Motile cells with single tinsel flagellum placed anteriorly.
Example – Rhizidiomyces.
3. Class – Oomycetes.
It includes parasitic & saprophytic fungi. Vegetative phase consists of multinucleated and well developed mycelium. Motile cell have two flagella ie. biflagelate consists of one Whiplash & the other Tinsel type.
Example – Albugo.
4. Class – Plasmodiophoromycetes.
It includes parasitic fungi. Multinucleate thallus without cell wall. Motile cells are with two whiplasm flagella of unequal length.
Example – Plasmodiophora.
5. Class – Zygomycetes.
Well developed coenocytic mycelium grows either parasitically or saprophytically. Motile cells are absent.
Example – Mucor.
6. Class – Trichomycetes.
Multinucleated simple or branched thallus. Mostly parasitic on Arthopods.
Example – Harpella.
7. Class – Ascomycetes.
Well developed mycelium with septate hyphae. Ascospores are produced endogenously inside ascus.
Example – Neurospora.
8. Class – Basidiomycetes.
Well developed mycelium with septate hyphae. Basidiospores are produced exogenously on basidium.
Example – Puccinia, Agericus.
Form – class – Deuteromycetes: Well developed mycelium with septate hyphae sexual phase unknown. Reproduces mainly by asexual means.
Example – Alternaria.
