Definition of Deuteromycota
Deuteromycota fungi are fungi that reproduce by conidia and have no known sexual stage. Neither ascus nor basidium were found so they were not included in the Ascomycota or Basidiomycota fungi class. Therefore, this fungus is an imperfect fungus (fungi imperfecti).
In addition to conidia, asexual reproduction of Deuteromycota fungi can also be carried out by forming blastospores (bud form) and arthrospores (spore formation with hyphal threads).
Thus, several types of fungi whose generative reproductive organs are not yet known are included in the Deuteromycota division. Deutermycota or the imperfect fungi do not undergo sexual reproduction or they exhibit an asexual stage ( anamorph ) than fungi that have a sexual stage ( teleomorph ).
Deuteromycota fungi resemble Ascomycota (simple septa). So, this group of mushrooms can be called a "trash basket", a temporary place to accommodate the types of mushrooms whose status is not yet clear. If in the next study a method of sexual reproduction is found, then a type of fungus belonging to the Deuteromycota will be grouped into the Ascomycota division or the Basidiomycota division.
For example, the fungus Monilia sitophila (oncom fungus), before it was known for its sexual reproduction was classified as Deuteromycota, but now that it is known for its sexual reproduction by producing ascospores in the ascus (perithesium), it is grouped into Ascomycota and renamed Neurospora sitophila or Neurospora crassa .
But there are still experts who classify the Penicillium and Aspergillus fungi into Deuteromycotina on the grounds that the conidium level is so clear and familiar, even though the sexual level is well known.
Characteristics of Deuteromycota
In general, the characteristics or characteristics of fungi belonging to the division Deuteromycota include the following.
■ multicellular (multicellular) that form hyphae not insulated, but some types are single-celled organisms that form pseudomiselium (pseudo mycelium) on the environmental conditions are favorable.
■ Most of the microscopic (can not be observed with the naked eye).
■ The cell walls made of chitin substance.
■ In certain types found hyphae insulated with a nucleated cell, but mostly multinucleated ..
■ Formed vegetative spores and unknown so that the mating phase called imperfect fungi or imperfekti.
■ Breed with spores asexually through fragmentation and konidium are unicellular or multicellular. While sexual reproduction is not yet known.
■ Many destructive or cause disease in farm animals, humans and crops.
■ Living saprophyte or parasite.
■ Usually berhabitat in damp areas.
The Deuteromycota's Way of Life
All fungi belonging to this artificial division reproduce asexually with conidia. Conidia are formed at the ends of the conidiospores, directly on the free hyphae. Some species live on leaves and plant debris that sink to the bottom of a fast-flowing river.
Several other groups are parasitic on protozoa and other small animals in various ways. Several species are also found in ant and termite nests.
Some parasitic fungi in small animals develop an unbranched body in their victim's body, then slowly absorb nutrients until the victim dies. After that the fungus produces a chain of spores that may attach to or be eaten by other animals that will become victims.
Another way is to catch prey with hyphae that can pierce, by hitchhiking and attaching to the amoeba. One group of soil-dwelling fungi is capable of catching nematode worms by forming hyphae rings or hyphal loops .
The size of the hyphae ring is smaller than the size of the nematode body and is pointed at both ends. When a nematode inserts its head into a hyphal ring, the worm tends to try to get out by moving forward, not backward, so that the worm gets stuck in the fungal hyphae coil.
After successfully ensnaring its victim, the fungus then forms a haustoria that grows to penetrate into the worm's body and digest it.
Deuteromycota Reproduction Method
■ Asexual reproduction occurs by producing conidia or produce specialized hyphae called conidiophores.
■ Despite having no sexual reproduction, but genetic recombination can still occur, so called by paraseksualitas. This parasexual cycle is the process of sending genetic material without going through meiotic division and the development of sexual structures.
Examples of Deuteromycota and Their Role
In humans, fungi belonging to the division Deuteromycota commonly cause disease. Examples are as follows.
■ Epidermophyton floocosum cause athlete's foot disease (water flea).
■ Microsporum sp. and Trichophyton sp. cause ringworm or tinea versicolor. Because they live on the skin, the two fungi are often referred to as dermatophytes .
■ Candida albicans is a microscopic fungus that has yeast-like body shape, but the nature of his life is a parasite. The disease it causes is a vaginal discharge that occurs due to an infection in the vagina.
■ Tinea versicolor causes phlegm.
■ Melazasia fur-fur , causing phlegm.
■ Trychophyton tonsurans , cause dandruff on the head.
Deuteromycota also have several members that cause disease in plants, including the following.
■ Sclerotium rolfsie is a fungus that causes rot in plants cultivation.
■ Helminthosporium oryzae is an example of a parasitic fungus that can destroy sprouts and fruit and can cause black spots on the leaves of the host (rice and corn).
■ Alternaria parasite on potato.
■ Fusarium parasites on tomato plants and cotton.
■ Diplodia parasite on maize.
■ Verticillium attacking seedlings.
■ Colletrichum parasites in the red onion.
