An order of the * Zygomycetes containing about 360 species (55 genera) of mostly saprobic fungi, many of which cause spoilage of stored food. Its members generally form a dense mycelium from which arise sporangiophores or conidiophores. The tips of these may become pigmented, hence the common name 'pin mould' for Mucor mucedo. In the coprophilous fungus Pilobolus a specialized mechanism has developed to disperse the sporangia. Zygospores are formed by sexual reproduction and many species show heterothallism. |
