What are deuteromycetes: characteristics and examples

They are called “imperfect fungi” since they lack a reproductive sexual phase. In addition, they present certain characteristics that will allow you to identify them, let’s see some of them:

• They reproduce in a asexual: generally through asexual spores called conidia. We tell you more about asexual reproduction: what is, types and examples in this Ecology Verde article.
• Most present a mycelium formed by septated hyphae: These septated hyphae are branched and have multiple nuclei.
• They have chitina-glucano: This is the main component of the cell wall of the deuteromycetes.
• They are saprophytes and parasites opportunistic doctors: mainly of plants and a few of other fungi, animals and even the human being. Do not miss this article about saprophytes: what are and examples.
• Are highly used in the field of biotechnology: Some are used in fermentation processes, others for the production of medicines and others as biological pest controllers. You may be interested in consulting the following post about what biotechnology is and what it is for.
• They can generate diseases In humans: especially skin and mucosa.

Initially, the classification of fungi was based on their life cycle and morphology, that is where the Deuteromycota They constituted a separate group, where those fungi were included whose sexual phase did not exist or was unknown.

Later, with the advance of technology and Molecular analysisit was discovered that many of the fungi classified as imperfect fungi were actually ascomycetes. Since then many fungi have been reclassified as Ascomycota either Basidiomycotawhile in other cases the term deuteromicio is used to refer to the asexual phase of an ascomyceto, granting two scientific names to the same organism.

It is for this reason, that we say that it is about A group of heterogeneous and polyphyletic fungisince they do not constitute the same evolutionary lineage, they have no ancestral relationships. This classification could group in the mimo genre fungi that are not related and separate in genres different fungi probably related. The group currently includes 2,828 genres and 16,200 species.

Some authors have divided the deuteromycetes into three artificial orders: monilials, sphaeropsidal and melancholy, but this classification has been disused. Other authors suggest distinguishing imperfect fungi based on morphological data, specifically by conidia and their formation.

Thus would be two groups made up of:

Hyphomycetes

They are those who They have free conidiophoresgrouped in lax or without conidia. They are known as “mold” for their dusty appearance. In turn, we can subdivide them into:

• Hyphomycetals: They have free conidiophores.
• Tubercularial: They have conidioforos in sporodochios (a lax set of hyphae).
• Agonomyceals: They have no conidia (the mycelios are sterile).

Coelomycetes

Within this classification of the deuteromycetes are those who They have more complex reproductive structures called conidiomas, within which are conidioforos. According to the form of conidioma they can remain at:

• Melancholy: Conidiomas are staun (ampoule -shaped).
• Sphaeropsidales: Conidiomas are picnidios (pear -shaped).

Can be found in A great variety of types of habitats. Most are soil organisms, although they have been found in aquatic environments and even air.

In turn, some of them are more selective in terms of the environment, while others can grow under different conditions. Even those that are parasites of other organisms, can be specific to a single host or have several.

The life cycle of deuteromycetes It only includes the asexual phasesince sexual may have lost during evolution or be still unknown.

Reproduction of deuteromycetes can be through:

• The spores: Conidia, asexual spores, are formed by mitosis at the end of specialized hyphae, conidiophores. The latter may be totally free, laxly united or in fruitful bodies called conidiomas. Haploid spores are transported by wind, water or some biological vector, when germinating they give rise to hyphae with haploid nuclei capable of generating new spores and restarting the cycle. Discover what the spores are, here.
• By fragmentation: There is a spontaneous rupture and a separation of the cells that make up the HIFA, they can behave as spores, developing and giving rise to a new organism.
• By mycelium geming: A Cell Division of Hifa will be formed, it will increase in size and end up separating from the mother HIFA and forming a new organism. In this post of ecology, we tell you more about gemation: what is and examples.

Many of the imperfect fungi are considered parasites of animals and plants. They can cause significant diseases even for human being, such as foot ring (better known as “athlete foot”) and other skin infections, nails and mucous membranes. Some produce mycotoxins, the carcinogenic substance of more severely known natural origin.

But let’s not make them bad reputation! We will tell you about some of the importance of deuteromycetes:

• Penicillin: One of the most important discoveries in medicine, is an antibiotic obtained from deuteromycetes fungi belonging to the genre Penicillium.
• Organ transplant: Cyclosporine is a compound synthesized by imperfect fungus (Tolepocladium infatum) and has generated a significant increase in the number of successful cases of organ transplants. The reason is that cyclosporine avoids immune reactions that occur during an organ transplant rejection.
• Biological control: It is the ability of certain organisms to control populations of other organisms. For example, some species of imperfect fungi feed on insects and nematodes; while genre species Trichoderma They are used to combat harmful fungi of agricultural crops. Here you can find more information about the biological control of pests: what is, advantages, disadvantages and examples.
• Food and drink production: For example some fungi of the genre Penicillum They are used for the elaboration of certain cheeses such as Roquefort.
• BIORREMEDIATION: The species Aspergillus Niger It has shown to present tolerance to certain polluting metals, so it could be used for the recovery of contaminated ecosystems. Do not hesitate to read this post about bioremediation: what is, types and examples.

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