Mucor

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iMucor
Mature sporangium of a Mucor mold
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi Division: Zygomycota Class: Zygomycetes Order: Mucorales Family: Mucoraceae Genus: Mucor Fresen.
Species
See section.

Mucor is a genus of molds commonly found in soil and on plant surfaces, as well as in rotten vegetable matter.

Contents 1 Description 2 Clinical Significance 3 Species 4 See also 5 External links

[edit] Description

Colonies of this fungal genus grow most optimally between 25-30°C and can rapidly cover its growth medium. The colonies can grow to several centimetres in height and are white and fluffy appearance with a core that is light tan in tone. Older colonies are grey to brown in colour due to the development of spores.

Mucor sporangiophores can be simple or branched and from a globular sporangia that are supported and elevated by a long column-shaped columella. Mucor fungi can be differentiated from molds of genus Absidia, Rhizomucor, and Rhizopus due to its lack of stolons and rhizoids.

[edit] Clinical Significance

Most species of Mucor are unable to infect humans and endothermic animals due to their inability to grow in warm environments exceeding 37 degree Celsius. Thermotolerant species such as Mucor indicus can be infectious, causing infections known as zygomycosis.

[edit] Species

• M. amphibiorum
• M. circinelloides
• M. hiemalis
• M. indicus
• M. racemosus
• M. ramosissimus

[edit] See also

• Mucormycosis (a rare infection caused by the sole member of a different genus of the Mucoraceae family, Apophysomyces elegans).

[edit] External links

• Mucor species from Index Fungorum
• Mucor page from Index Fungorum