Introduction to the Classifications of Fungi

Classify fungi into unique categories

The kingdom Fungi contains five major phyla that were established according to their mode of sexual reproduction or using molecular data. Polyphyletic, unrelated fungi that reproduce without a sexual cycle, were once placed for convenience in a sixth group, the Deuteromycota, called a “form phylum,” because superficially they appeared to be similar. However, most mycologists have discontinued this practice. Rapid advances in molecular biology and the sequencing of 18S rRNA (ribosomal RNA) continue to show new and different relationships among the various categories of fungi.

The five true phyla of fungi are the Chytridiomycota (Chytrids), the Zygomycota (conjugated fungi), the Ascomycota (sac fungi), the Basidiomycota (club fungi) and the recently described Phylum Glomeromycota. The Deuteromycota is an informal group of unrelated fungi that all share a common character – they use strictly asexual reproduction.

The image displays the phyologenetic tree for fungi. From a central source, branches include basidiomycota and ascomycota (which exist at the end of the same branch), glomeromycota, zygomycota, and chytridiomycota. Animalia are diplayed coming from a separate branch from the same source ancestor, but are not a part of the fungi.

Note: “-mycota” is used to designate a phylum while “-mycetes” formally denotes a class or is used informally to refer to all members of the phylum.

What You’ll Learn to Do

  • Identify characteristics and examples of fungi in the phylum Chytridiomycota
  • Identify characteristics and examples of fungi in the phylum Zygomycota
  • Identify characteristics and examples of fungi in the phylum Ascomycota
  • Identify characteristics and examples of fungi in the phylum Basidiomycota
  • Identify characteristics and examples of fungi in the phylum Glomeromycota
  • Identify characteristics and examples of fungi in the informal group Deuteromycota

Learning Activities

The learning activities for this section include the following:

  • Chytridiomycota: The Chytrids
  • Zygomycota: The Conjugated Fungi
  • Ascomycota: The Sac Fungi
  • Basidiomycota: The Club Fungi
  • Glomeromycota
  • Deuteromycota: The Imperfect Fungi
  • Self Check: Classifications of Fungi