Phycomycetes is an obsolete
polyphyletic
A polyphyletic group is an assemblage of organisms or other evolving elements that is of mixed evolutionary origin. The term is often applied to groups that share similar features known as homoplasies, which are explained as a result of conver ...
taxon for certain fungi with
aseptate hyphae.
It is used in the
Engler system
One of the prime systems of plant taxonomy, the Engler system was devised by Adolf Engler (1844–1930), and is featured in two major taxonomic texts he authored or co-authored. His influence is reflected in the use of the terms "Engler School" and ...
.
Asexual reproduction takes place by zoospores(motile) or by Aplanospores(non-motile).These spores are endogenously produced in sporangium.A zygospore is formed by fusion of two gametes.These gametes are similar in morphology
sogamousor dissimilar
nisogamous or oogamous
The class Phycomycetes has been abolished and in its place exists
Zygomycetes
Zygomycota, or zygote fungi, is a former phylum, division or phylum of the kingdom Fungi. The members are now part of two Phylum, phyla: the Mucoromycota and Zoopagomycotina, Zoopagomycota. Approximately 1060 species are known. They are mostly t ...
,
Chytridiomycetes
Chytridiomycetes () is a class of fungi. Members are found in soil, fresh water, and saline estuaries. They are first known from the Rhynie chert. It has recently been redefined to exclude the taxa Neocallimastigomycota and Monoblepharidomycet ...
,
Plasmodiophoromycetes,
Hyphochytridiomycetes,
Trichomycetes (including
Harpellales
The Harpellales are an order of fungi classified in the subdivision Kickxellomycotina. Thalli are either unbranched or branched, producing basipetal series of trichospores. Zygospores are biconical. Species in the order are found attached to th ...
,
Asellariales
The Asellariales are an order of fungi
A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms a ...
,
Eccrinales and
Amoebidiales) and
Oomycete
Oomycota forms a distinct phylogenetic lineage of fungus-like eukaryotic microorganisms, called oomycetes (). They are filamentous and heterotrophic, and can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction of an oospore is the resul ...
s. Still, "Phycomycetes" can be used to refer to all the above-mentioned classes as a whole.
The members of this group are found in aquatic habitats and on decaying wood in moist and damp places or as
obligate parasites on plants. The
mycelium
Mycelium (plural mycelia) is a root-like structure of a fungus consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. Fungal colonies composed of mycelium are found in and on soil and many other substrates. A typical single spore germinates ...
is aseptate and
coenocytic. Asexual reproduction by
zoospore
A zoospore is a motile asexual spore that uses a flagellum for locomotion. Also called a swarm spore, these spores are created by some protists, bacteria, and fungi to propagate themselves.
Diversity Flagella types
Zoospores may possess one or ...
or by