Phylum Zygomycota

The members of this group are known as zygomycetes. They are formed by the fusion of two different cells. They have sexual spores known as zygospores, which are produced in the structures called zygosporangia. They also have asexual spores known as sporangiospores, which are produced in the structures called sporangia. Like other fungi, they have hyphae but without cross walls or septa. Zygomycetes grow as a mass of tiny white threads and feed on rotting or decaying food materials like bread, cassava, pawpaw, and tomato. Examples of organisms in this group include mucor and black bread mould or Rhizopus stolonifer (See Figure 1.3)

(a) Black bread mould (Rhizopus)

(b) Mucor

Figure 1.3: Examples of zygomycetes

Characteristics of zygomycetes

(i) They are multicellular. (ii) They are saprophytic, growing on decaying organic materials. (iii) They reproduce sexually through zygospores or asexually through sporangiophores. (iv) Have hyphae without cross walls.