Zygomycetes are a diverse class of fungi with over 1,000 species found worldwide. They reproduce sexually by producing unique zygospores and can also reproduce asexually. Some species are parasitic or form symbiotic relationships, while others live on dead organic material. They are known for causing food spoilage and have practical uses in controlled fermentation and drug manufacturing.
Zygomycetes are a class of fungi with over 1,000 known species. This class of fungi is extremely diverse and representatives can be found living all over the world in an assortment of environments and circumstances. Humans often end up interacting with Zygomycetes fungi, usually in the form of bread molds or feather molds that appear on spoiled fruits like strawberries and tomatoes. As a major source of food spoilage, these fungi can have a huge economic impact in some regions of the world.
Fungi are placed in this class when they reproduce sexually by producing zygospores. Zygospores are very unique fungal spores formed by the fusion of two spores. Other fungi are not capable of this form of sexual reproduction, making Zygomycetes unique. These fungi can also reproduce asexually, generally by producing spores that are spread by the wind or carried by animals. Some species can aim and fire spores in specific directions by developing light-sensitive cells that trigger the release of spores in a particular direction. This controlled dispersion allows the mushroom to increase its chances of success.
Some species of Zygomycetes are parasitic and live on plants and animals. Others form symbiotic relationships with other organisms, living everywhere from the leaves of plants to the intestines of certain animals. These different fungi can also live on dead organic material, such as leaf litter and harvested food. They can cause infection and disease in some organisms, especially in organisms with a compromised immune system that is unable to fend off the fungi.
These molds are sometimes known as pin molds or sugar molds, referring to their distinctive appearance and preferred habitats. Under a microscope, Zygomycetes mushrooms look indeed like tiny pins, with a slightly stringy appearance and distinctly large “heads” at the tip of each thread. Many Zygomycete species also prefer to live on sugar-rich substrates such as fruit and bread, converting sugars into energy. This preference for sugars is what causes problems for people, as many foods are high in sugars which mushrooms find immensely beneficial.
There are some practical uses for these mushrooms. Several species can be used in the controlled fermentation of foods, and have been used for this purpose for centuries. Several Asian foods and beverages in particular are made with the use of mushrooms of this class. Additional Zygomycetes species may be used in the manufacture of drugs such as steroids, and some pharmaceutical laboratories maintain the fungi in controlled colonies for this purpose.
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