Rhizopus
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Rhizopus nigricans |
Rhizopus is a genus of molds.
Rhizopus species are cosmopolitan filamentous fungi found in soil, decaying fruit and vegetables, animal feces, and old bread. Some Rhizopus species are occasional causes of zygomycosis (aka phycomycosis). They may cause serious (and often fatal) infections in humans and animals because of their rapid growth rate. Some species are plant pathogens, and one, Rhizopus oligosporus, is used in the production of tempeh, a fermented food derived from soybeans.
Rhizopus species produce spores in two different ways. The sporangiospores are produced inside a pinhead-like structure, the sporangium, and are genetically identical to their parent. zygospores are produced after two mycelia fuse during sexual reproduction, and give rise to colonies that may be genetically different from their parents.
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