Blastocladiomycota

Blastocladiomycota is a phylum of fungi that includes chytrid-like organisms, many of which produce motile cells with a single posterior flagellum. Its members include decomposers and parasites, and some have alternation of generations.

Zoospore: A motile asexual spore that swims using one or more flagella. Many blastocladiomycetes disperse through water as flagellated zoospores.
Allomyces: A genus of aquatic fungi known for a life cycle with distinct haploid and diploid phases. Its visible alternation of generations made it a classic organism for studying the group.
Chytridiomycota: A phylum of fungi that commonly produce motile cells with a single posterior flagellum. Blastocladiomycota was once grouped with chytrids, but is now recognized as a separate phylum.
Maize brown spot: A fungal disease of maize caused by Physoderma maydis. It is a notable crop disease caused by a blastocladiomycete.
Alternation of generations: A life cycle that alternates between multicellular or distinct haploid and diploid phases. The water mold Allomyces displays conspicuous haploid and diploid generations.
Blastocladiella: A genus of blastocladiomycete fungi that includes species studied for their development and reproduction. Its simple developmental forms helped establish the phylum’s distinctive life-cycle biology.
Fungal taxonomy: The classification of fungi into named groups based on shared traits and evolutionary relationships. The phylum’s boundaries and placement reflect revisions in fungal classification.
Biological control: The use of organisms or biological processes to suppress pests and disease. Parasitic blastocladiomycetes have been investigated as agents against mosquito larvae.
Sporangium: A structure in which spores are produced and released. Blastocladiomycete sporangia release zoospores into their surroundings.
Physoderma: A genus of plant-parasitic fungi that causes diseases including brown spot of maize. Its species show that blastocladiomycetes include economically significant plant parasites.

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