Hyphochytridiomycetes

Hyphochytridiomycetes is a class of fungus-like organisms (sometimes classified as protists), within the Kingdom Chromalveolata.

Characteristics

They are distinguished by an anterior tinsel flagellum^[1] on their zoospores.

Also they have a rhizoidal or hypha-like vegetative system (hence the prefix "Hypho-").

Classification

Alternatively this group may be put at the phylum level; then the group will be referred to as Hyphochytridiomycota. The alternative versions Hypochytridiomycota, Hypochytridiomycetes, Hyphochytriomycota, and Hyphochytriomycetes are also sometimes seen (the last two are the ones in Index Fungorum.)^[2]

In the past the classes Hyphochytridiomycetes, Oomycetes, and Chytridiomycetes were grouped together in the now obsolete taxon Mastigomycotina as fungi with flagellate spores or gametes. Now the Chytridiomycetes are still considered true fungi, but the other two sub-groups are very differently classified in the kingdom Protista.

Hyphochytriomycetes is closely related to oomycetes.^[3]

Diversity

This is a relatively small group, composed of about 16 known species, which may be due in part, to sampling methods of scientists.

References

• C.J. Alexopolous, Charles W. Mims, M. Blackwell et al., Introductory Mycology, 4th ed. (John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken NJ, 2004) ISBN 0-471-52229-5
• C. Manoharachary, K. Sridhar et al., Fungal biodiversity: Distribution, conservation and prospecting of fungi from India, CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 89, NO. 1, 10 JULY 2005, available at this link. See the introductory section on Mastigomycotina for the characteristics of the Hyphochytridiomycota.
• See [1] for an explanation of the newer and older classifications.
• [2] (here the class is called Hyphochytridea).
• Also see the entry for Hyphochytrium in Index Fungorum.

See also

• Zoospore