Chytridiomycota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chytridiomycota |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: |
Chytridiomycota
M.J. Powell 2007
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Type species | |
Chytridium spp. A. Braun, 1851
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Classes | |
Chytridiomycetes |
Chytridiomycota is a phylum of the Fungi kingdom. The name comes from chytridium (from the Greek chytridion, meaning "little pot"): the structure containing unreleased spores.
The chytrids are the most primitive of the fungi. Many chytrids are found in fresh water. There are approximately 1,000 chytrid species, in 127 genera, distributed among 5 orders.
Chytrids get their energy mostly from non-living organic matter.
Both zoospores and gametes of the chytrids are mobile by their flagella, one whiplash per individual.
Some chytrid species are known to kill amphibians in large numbers. The actual process, however, is unknown.
Images for kids
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Chytrid parasites of marine diatoms. (A) Chytrid sporangia on Pleurosigma sp. The white arrow indicates the operculate discharge pore. (B) Rhizoids (white arrow) extending into diatom host. (C) Chlorophyll aggregates localized to infection sites (white arrows). (D) & (E) Single hosts bearing multiple zoösporangia at different stages of development. The white arrow in panel (E) highlights branching rhizoids. (F) Endobiotic chytrid-like sporangia within diatom frustule; bars = 10 μm .
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Sporangium and zoöspores of the chytrid fungus B. dendrobatidis, under a scanning electron microscope
See also
In Spanish: Chytridiomycota para niños