Phylum Zygomycota

Phylum Zygomycota

Mucor species

Characteristics

General characteristics of phylum Zygomycota

1. They produce a characteristic sexual resting spore called zygospore.
2. They are eukaryotic organisms, with aseptate hyphae that have well developed branching mycelia. Aseptate means without septa or cross walls, and are sometimes called coenocytic.
3. They undergo both sexual and asexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction is by conjugation; this involves fusion of two haploid nuclei from the two mating hyphae or strains to produce zygospores. Asexual reproduction occurs via haploid spores released from sporangia.
4. They are saprophytes since they feed on dead decaying organic matter by undergoing extracellular digestion. However, some zygomycetes are parasitic on plants, animals, and insects.
5. Their hyphae have three distinct parts, namely sporangiophore, stolon, and rhizoids.

Rhizopus stolonifer

Rhizopus stolonifer

Adaptations to its mode of life

1. Have branched rhizoids/ hyphae which secrets enzymes for extra-cellular digestion.
2. The walls of the rhizoids are permeable thus are used for absorption of the digested food and they are also for attachment.
3. The hyphae are aseptate for easy passage of the absorbed food.
4. They have a high reproductive rate i.e. they produce large number of spores both sexually and asexually thus increases chances of survival.
5. The sporangium are highly raised by the sporangiophore so that the spores can be easily be blown by the air current when the sporangium ruptures.
6. The sporangium has collumela which changes its shape from Spherical to platform like when sporangium ruptures for easy dispersion of spores.
7. The spores are light enough to be blown by wind and can remain dormant for a long period and are yet viable