Hyphochytrids are eukaryote organisms in the group of Heterokont (Heterokonta).
Characteristics
They are distinguished by an anterior tinsel flagellum
on their
zoospores. Also they have a rhizoidal or hypha-like vegetative system (hence the prefix "Hypho-").
Classification
This group may be put alternatively at the phylum, class, subclass or order level, being referred to as Hyphochytriomycota, Hyphochytriomycetes (or Hyphochytrea), Hyphochytriomycetidae (or Hyphochytridae) and Hyphochytriales, respectively. The variants Hyphochytri
diomycota and Hyphochytri
diomycetes are also sometimes used, presumably by analogy to the Chytridiomycetes, or due to the perpetuation of a typographical error. However, the stem is Hyphochytri- (from
Hyphochytrium) and not Hyphochytridi- (from
Chytridiaceae).
In the past the classes Hyphochytridiomycetes, Oomycetes and Chytridiomycota were grouped together in the now obsolete taxon Mastigomycotina as fungi with flagellate spores or gametes. Now the Chytridiomycetes are still considered true fungi, but the other two sub-groups are classified in the kingdom Protista, or in the group Stramenopiles.
Hyphochytriomycetes are closely related to Oomycetes.
Order Hyphochytriales Bessey 1950 ex Sparrow 1960
-
Family Hyphochytriaceae Fischer 1892
-
Family Rhizidiomycetaceae Karling ex Kirk, Cannon & David 2001
Diversity
This is a relatively small group, composed of about 16 known species, which may be due in part, to sampling methods of scientists.
See also
Bibliography
-
C.J. Alexopolous, Charles W. Mims, M. Blackwell et al., Introductory Mycology, 4th ed. John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken NJ, 2004. .
External links
