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Glite Dictionary
Zygomycota

Zygomycota

9.9
A group of fungi that make zygospores when they reproduce sexually
  • noun
  • /ˌzaɪɡoʊˈmaɪkəˌtə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : zigomycota
  • During their life cycle, members of the Zygomycota produce zygospores that are essential for reproduction.

Examples

  • The bread mold belongs to the Zygomycota, a group known for their rapidly growing hyphae.

  • Scientists used to classify these fungi as Zygomycota based on their reproductive structures.

  • Advances in genetics have led to the reorganization of the Zygomycota into different phyla.

  • The Zygomycota group includes molds like Rhizopus.

  • Did you know that Zygomycota can reproduce sexually?

  • The Zygomycota fungi play an important role in nutrient cycling in ecosystems.

  • Researchers have discovered that some species of Zygomycota can thrive in extreme environments.

Synonyms

Zygomycotina
vsZygomycota
  • Archaic
9.9

A former group of fungi that make thick sexual spores

is the group description without the added note about reclassification
Zygomycetes
vsZygomycota
  • Archaic
9.9

Fungi that often grow on bread or soil and make thick spores

is the division-level group focused on zygospore production rather than class rank

Surface Forms

Zygomycota singular
Zygomycota plural

Morphology

Zygomycota = zygo + mycota

The term is a technical taxonomic name formed from combining forms (zygo- + -mycota) used in biology; average learners cannot derive the meaning of 'a group of fungi producing zygospores' from these parts.

Etymology

Zygomycota comes from Greek parts zygo- meaning 'yoke' and mycota meaning 'fungi'. The name points to their special spores: when two cells join they make a 'yoked' spore called a zygospore, so these fungi are named for making joined spores.