Fungi are classified into four types on the basis of their structure, mode of spore formation and fruiting bodies as follows:
1. Phycomycetes:
Members of this class are commonly called as algal fungi. These are consisting of aseptate coenocytic hyphae. They grow well in moist and damp places on decaying organic matter as well as in aquatic habitats or as parasites on plants.
e.g. Mucor, Rhizopus (bread mold), Albugo (parasitic fungus on mustard).
2. Ascomycetes:
These are commonly called as sac fungi. These are multicellular. Rarely they are unicellular (e.g. Yeast). Hyphae are branched and septate. They can be decomposers, parasites or coprophilous (grow on dung). Some varieties of this class are consumed as delicacies such as morels and truffles. Neurospora is useful in genetic and biochemical assays.
e.g. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Neurospora,
Claviceps, Saccharomyces (unicellular ascomycetes).
3. Basidiomycetes:
These are commonly called as club fungi. They have branched septate hyphae.
e.g. Agaricus (mushrooms), Ganoderma (bracket fungi), Ustilago (smuts), Puccinia (rusts), etc.
4. Deuteromycetes:
It is a group of fungi which are known to reproduce only asexually. They are commonly called imperfect fungi. They are mainly decomposers, while few are parasitic,
e.g. Alternaria.
