Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and the term 'Fungi Phylum' refers to a rank in scientific taxonomy that groups similar fungi species based on shared characteristics, primarily their sexual reproductive structures. The domain of fungi is often divided into five main phyla: Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Zygomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Glomeromycota. Basidiomycota is the phylum that contains most mushrooms, including the Agaricales, which are common fungi like the fairy-ring mushroom, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms. However, the term mushroom is loosely used, and some mushrooms belong to other phyla, such as the Agaricaceae family, which is in the order Boletales.
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What You'll Learn
- Mushrooms are typically of the order Agaricales in the phylum Basidiomycota
- Basidiomycota fungi have complex multicellular structures and dry spore dispersal mechanisms
- Ascomycota is another phylum of fungi, which includes sac fungi
- Chytridiomycota is a basal group of fungi that produce mobile spores
- Zygomycota, Glomeromycota, and Mucoromycota are other phyla of fungi
Mushrooms are typically of the order Agaricales in the phylum Basidiomycota
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, typically of the order Agaricales in the phylum Basidiomycota. The Agaricales are characterised by their umbrella-shaped sporophores and thin, bladelike gills on the undersurface of the cap, from which spores are shed. The gills of mushrooms are an important feature, as they produce spores called basidiospores, which are responsible for reproduction. When mature, the mushroom cap can be removed and placed gill-side-down, revealing a powdery impression that reflects the shape of the gills. This spore print is useful for classifying and identifying mushrooms.
The phylum Basidiomycota is one of the main phyla in the Kingdom Fungi, which also includes Ascomycota, Zygomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Glomeromycota. Basidiomycota is known for its structurally complex and functionally sophisticated characteristics. The fungi in this phylum have complex multicellular structures and advanced dry spore dispersal mechanisms. The lifecycle of Basidiomycota involves the formation of dikaryons, which are maintained through the creation of clamp connections. These dikaryons eventually produce basidia, specialised club-shaped cells where nuclei fuse to form diploid cells. Meiosis then occurs, resulting in the formation of haploid nuclei that migrate into external basidiospores.
Within the phylum Basidiomycota, the Agaricomycotina sub-phyla include what were previously known as the Hymenomycetes and Gasteromycetes classes. This sub-phyla encompasses a diverse range of fungi, including the "classic" mushrooms, polypores, corals, chanterelles, crusts, puffballs, and stinkhorns. The Agaricales order, to which most mushrooms belong, includes common fungi such as the fairy-ring mushroom, shiitake, enoki, oyster mushrooms, fly agarics, and magic mushrooms.
While most mushrooms fall under the order Agaricales, it is important to note that some mushrooms belong to other orders. For example, chanterelles are in the Cantharellales order, while milk-cap mushrooms and russulas are classified within the Russulales order. Additionally, certain atypical mushrooms, such as the lobster mushroom, are deformed by parasitic fungi, further showcasing the diversity within the mushroom family.
The term "mushroom" is loosely used, and precise taxonomic classification is challenging due to the vast variety of fungal forms. However, the order Agaricales in the phylum Basidiomycota represents the typical morphological structure associated with mushrooms, including their distinctive umbrella-shaped sporophores and gilled undersurfaces.
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Basidiomycota fungi have complex multicellular structures and dry spore dispersal mechanisms
The Fungi Phylum encompasses a wide range of forms, from simple single-celled yeasts to large complex networks of mycelia. The five main phyla in the Kingdom Fungi are Ascomycota (sac fungi), Basidiomycota (club fungi), Chytridiomycota (chytrids), Zygomycota (conjugating fungi), and Glomeromycota (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi). Basidiomycota, in particular, includes complex multicellular structures and dry spore dispersal mechanisms.
Basidiomycota are filamentous fungi composed of hyphae, except for Basidiomycota-yeast, and they typically reproduce sexually through specialized club-shaped end cells called basidia. These basidia normally bear four external sexual spores called basidiospores, which are forcibly expelled. The propulsive force for this expulsion comes from a sudden change in the centre of gravity of the discharged spore. The dry spores of certain fungi, such as puffballs, are dispersed when the basidiocarps are disturbed.
Basidiomycota includes a diverse range of mushrooms, including the classic mushrooms, polypores, corals, chanterelles, crusts, puffballs, and stinkhorns. Some mushrooms within this phylum have gills, like the agarics, while others have pores, like the boletes, or spines, like the hedgehog mushrooms. The term mushroom is loosely used and encompasses a broad range of macroscopic fungal fruiting bodies rather than a precise taxonomic category.
The lifecycle of Basidiomycota typically involves the seasonal or occasional production of basidia, which are club-shaped end cells. Within these basidia, a pair of compatible nuclei fuse to form a diploid cell, followed by meiosis, resulting in four haploid nuclei. These nuclei then migrate into four external basidiospores, which are dispersed and can each start a new haploid mycelium, continuing the lifecycle.
The complex multicellular structures and dry spore dispersal mechanisms of Basidiomycota fungi contribute to their ecological significance and adaptability to various environments. Understanding the characteristics of this phylum is essential for comprehending the broader fungi kingdom and its evolutionary history.
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Ascomycota is another phylum of fungi, which includes sac fungi
The Kingdom Fungi is a diverse group of organisms, with a vast array of forms and structures. The domain of fungi is often divided into five main phyla: Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Zygomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Glomeromycota. Ascomycota is a large phylum of fungi, containing over 64,000 species.
Ascomycota is characterised by the formation of a sac-like structure, called an ascus, which contains haploid ascospores. The ascus is a key feature of Ascomycota, giving rise to the common name 'sac fungi'. The ascus is often contained within a multicellular fruiting structure, known as an ascocarp or ascoma. These fruiting bodies can vary in shape, from cup-shaped to club-shaped, spongy, or coral-like, and can appear in a range of colours, including red, orange, yellow, brown, and black.
Ascomycetes are 'spore shooters', producing microscopic spores within the asci. Asexual reproduction is the dominant form of propagation in Ascomycota, allowing for the rapid spread of these fungi. During asexual reproduction, conidiophores release haploid conidiospores. Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of two types of mating strains, 'male' and 'female', resulting in the formation of asci containing ascospores.
Many Ascomycota are plant pathogens, some are animal pathogens, and a few are edible mushrooms, such as truffles and morels. Some Ascomycota, like the common yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), are indispensable in baking, brewing, and wine fermentation. Other Ascomycota, such as the genus Penicillium, have important medicinal properties, as discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928.
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Chytridiomycota is a basal group of fungi that produce mobile spores
The term "mushroom" is loosely used to refer to a wide variety of macroscopic fungal fruiting bodies. Most mushrooms are basidiomycetes and gilled, producing spores called basidiospores on their gills. The colour of the powdery print, or spore print, is useful for classifying and identifying mushrooms. The standard methods for identifying mushrooms include examining their macroscopic structure, as well as characteristics such as the presence of juices upon breaking, bruising reactions, odours, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, habit, and season.
Mushrooms belong to the phylum Basidiomycota, but they can also belong to other phyla. The domain of fungi is often divided into five main phyla: Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Zygomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Glomeromycota. Chytridiomycota is considered the most primitive or basal group of true fungi, with the first recognizable chytrids appearing over 500 million years ago during the late pre-Cambrian period. They are mostly aquatic and are believed to be a deep divergence of minimally derived fungi.
Chytrids are distinguished by their chitin cell walls, a posterior whiplash flagellum, absorptive nutrition, use of glycogen as an energy source, and synthesis of lysine via the α-amino adipic acid (AAA) pathway. They are saprobic, breaking down materials like chitin and keratin, and can sometimes act as parasites or mutualists. Chytridiomycota is unique among fungi in that they reproduce with zoospores, which are flagellated, asexual reproductive spores. While sexual reproduction is not known for most members of Chytridiomycota, it has been observed to occur through various methods, including the fusion of isogametes and oogamy.
The five orders in Chytridiomycota are Blastocladiales, Monoblepharidales, Neocallimastigales, Spizellomycetales, and Chytridiales, established based on the ultrastructure of zoospores. Chytrids have been isolated from various aquatic and terrestrial habitats, leading to the belief that many chytrid species are ubiquitous and cosmopolitan. They play a critical role in modern ecosystems as bioeroders, decomposers, parasites, disease-causing agents, and mutualists.
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Zygomycota, Glomeromycota, and Mucoromycota are other phyla of fungi
The Fungi Phylum encompasses a wide range of fungi forms, from simple single-celled yeasts to large complex networks of mycelia. While Basidiomycota is the phylum that contains most mushrooms, Zygomycota, Glomeromycota, and Mucoromycota are other phyla of fungi.
Zygomycota, or zygote fungi, was previously recognised as a single phylum of the kingdom Fungi. However, it is now understood that Zygomycota comprises two phyla: Mucoromycota and Zoopagomycota. There are approximately 1060 species in these two phyla. Fungi in these groups are mostly terrestrial, living in soil or on decaying plant or animal material. Some are parasites of plants, insects, and small animals, while others form symbiotic relationships with plants. Zygomycota is characterised by sexual reproduction by zygospores, frequent asexual reproduction by sporangia, and the absence of multicellular sporocarps.
Glomeromycota is a newly established phylum, comprising about 230 species that live in close association with the roots of trees. All members of this phylum form arbuscular mycorrhizae, where the fungal hyphae interact with the root cells, forming a mutually beneficial relationship. The plants supply carbohydrates to the fungus, and the fungus supplies essential minerals from the soil to the plant. Glomeromycota does not reproduce sexually and cannot survive without the presence of plant roots.
Mucoromycota is one of the two phyla that now make up what was previously known as Zygomycota. Mucor circinelloides is one example of a fungus in this phylum.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are part of the Basidiomycota phylum.
Other phyla in the Kingdom Fungi include Ascomycota, Zygomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Glomeromycota.
Some mushrooms in the Basidiomycota phylum include Agaricus, Armillaria, Xerula, and Coprinopsis cinerea.
Yes, two new phyla of fungi were recently discovered by a team of scientists led by UF scientist Matthew Smith: Mucoromycota and Zoopagomycota.
The Basidiomycota phylum is characterized by complex multicellular structures and sophisticated dry spore dispersal mechanisms.
