Entomophthorales
Encyclopedia
The Entomophthorales are an order of fungi that were previously classified in the class Zygomycetes. A new subphylum, Entomophthoromycotina
, has recently been described for them.
Most species of the Entomophthorales are pathogens of insect
s. A few attack nematode
s, mite
s, and tardigrade
s, and some (particularly species of the genus Conidiobolus
) are free-living saprotrophs.
The name Entomophthorales is derived from the Greek for insect destroyer (Gk: entomo=insect, phthor=destroyer)
should be included in the Entomophthorales, or raised to ordinal status. Molecular systematics approaches so far give an ambiguous answer. Some analyses suggest the Basdiobolaceae are more closely related to certain chytrid fungi than to the Entomophthorales. Others find weak support to maintain them in the Entomophthorales. Morphological characters can be found to support either hypothesis.
Entomophthoromycotina
Entomophthoromycotina is a fungus subphylum.It includes the order Entomophthorales....
, has recently been described for them.
Most species of the Entomophthorales are pathogens of insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s. A few attack nematode
Nematode
The nematodes or roundworms are the most diverse phylum of pseudocoelomates, and one of the most diverse of all animals. Nematode species are very difficult to distinguish; over 28,000 have been described, of which over 16,000 are parasitic. It has been estimated that the total number of nematode...
s, mite
Mite
Mites, along with ticks, are small arthropods belonging to the subclass Acari and the class Arachnida. The scientific discipline devoted to the study of ticks and mites is called acarology.-Diversity and systematics:...
s, and tardigrade
Tardigrade
Tardigrades form the phylum Tardigrada, part of the superphylum Ecdysozoa. They are microscopic, water-dwelling, segmented animals with eight legs. Tardigrades were first described by Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1773...
s, and some (particularly species of the genus Conidiobolus
Conidiobolus
Conidiobolus is a genus of fungi.It is responsible for the condition conidiobolomycosis.Species include Conidiobolus coronatus and Conidiobolus incongruus....
) are free-living saprotrophs.
The name Entomophthorales is derived from the Greek for insect destroyer (Gk: entomo=insect, phthor=destroyer)
Highlighted species
- Basidiobolus ranarumBasidiobolus ranarumBasidiobolus ranarum is a microscopic fungus in the order Entomophthorales.-Life cycle:It produces large, spherical, asexual spores that are forcibly discharged. These spores can germinate directly to produce hyphae...
, a commensal fungus of frogs and a mammal pathogen - Conidiobolus coronatusConidiobolus coronatusConidiobolus coronatus is a species of Conidiobolus.It is associated with conidiobolomycosis....
, a saprotrophic fungus of leaf litter and a mammal pathogen - Entomophaga maimaiga, a biocontrol agent of gypsy moths
- Entomophthora muscaeEntomophthora muscaeEntomophthora muscae is a species of pathogenic fungus in the order Entomophthorales which causes a fatal disease in flies. It can cause epizootic outbreaks of disease in houseflies and has been investigated as a potential biological control agent....
, a pathogen of houseflies - Massospora spp., pathogens of periodical cicadas
Biology
Most species of the Entomophthorales produce ballistic asexual spores that are forcibly discharged. When not landing on a suitable host, these spores can germinate to make one of several alternate spore forms, including a smaller version of the original spore, or (in some species) an adhesive spore elevated on a very slender conidiophore called a capilliconidiophore.Classification
Recent debate has centered on whether the BasidiobolaceaeBasidiobolaceae
The Basidiobolaceae are a family of fungi in the order Entomophthorales....
should be included in the Entomophthorales, or raised to ordinal status. Molecular systematics approaches so far give an ambiguous answer. Some analyses suggest the Basdiobolaceae are more closely related to certain chytrid fungi than to the Entomophthorales. Others find weak support to maintain them in the Entomophthorales. Morphological characters can be found to support either hypothesis.
External links
- G. Benny. Entomophthorales section of Zygomycetes.org