Fungi in the phylum Chytridiomycota are called Chytrids.

DNA evidence indicates that this group may have been the first fungi to evolve.

These fungi live mostly in water and soil.

Unlike other fungi, the spores (called zoospores) have flagella. These are the only fungi with flagellated cells.

Phylum: Zygomycota

Fungi in the phylum

Zygomycota

are called

zygomycetes.

The zygomycetes are terrestrial. They are usually saprotrophs but there are some parasites.

The hyphae are coenocytic (theyn lack septa). Septa are found only in the reproductive structures.

Phylum: Glomeromycota

Glomeromycetes are an ecologically important group because they form arbuscular mycorrhizae.

Phylum: Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)

Examples: Yeasts, molds, morels, truffles

Ascomycetes are important in digesting resistant materials such as cellulose (found in plant cell walls), lignin (found in wood), and collagen (a connective tissue found in animals). This group also includes many important plant pathogens.

Many, perhaps half of the species of ascomycota form lichens- a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic cell such as a green algae or a cyanobacteria. The fungal component of most lichens is an Ascomycete.

Phylum: Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)

Some examples of basidiomycetes are mushrooms, puffballs, shelf fungi, birds nest fungi, and stinkhorns.

This group includes some serious plant diseases such as rusts and smuts.

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