Phycomyces
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Phycomyces | |
|---|---|
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| Closeup of the Phycomyces sporangium | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Mucoromycota |
| Class: | Mucoromycetes |
| Order: | Mucorales |
| Family: | Phycomycetaceae |
| Genus: | Phycomyces Kunze |
| Species | |
Phycomyces is a genus of fungus in the phylum Mucoromycota. They are known for their strong phototropism response and helical growth of the sporangium.[citation needed] The best studied species is Phycomyces blakesleeanus.
Phycomyces can reproduce via extension of mycelia, or by production of spores either asexually or sexually. The asexual cycle includes the formation of spore containing sporangia borne on the top of sporangiophores that may extend 10 to 15 cm above the surface of the fungal colony from which they emerged.[citation needed] The long filamentous sporangiophores respond to divergent environmental signals including light, gravity, wind, chemicals, and adjacent objects. The sporangia contain vegetative spores with one to six haploid nuclei. When these spores are dispersed, they can establish new colonies.
