breakdown of the divisions, sub-divisions, orders, and classes in the fungal kingdom, including specific genera associated with each group. This classification encompasses both the Pseudofungi (sometimes called “false fungi” or slime molds) and True Fungi, which are divided into several phyla based on their unique characteristics and methods of reproduction.

Pseudofungi (False Fungi)

Kingdom 1: Protozoa

This kingdom includes unicellular organisms, and within it, certain slime molds (called Myxomycota) and parasitic organisms (Plasmodiophoromycota) are considered part of pseudofungi due to their similar features with true fungi.

1.1 Myxomycota (Plasmodial Slime Molds)

• These organisms are characterized by their plasmodium (a mass of protoplasm that can move and feed). They do not infect plants and are typically found in decaying organic material.
  • Class: Myxomycetes
  • Order: Physarales
    • Genera: Mucilago, Fulago, Physarum
  • Order: Amaurochaetales
    • Genera: Amaurochaeta

1.2 Plasmodiophoromycota (Endoparasitic Slime Molds)

• These organisms are parasitic and infect plant roots.
  • Class: Plasmodiophoromycetes
  • Order: Plasmodiophorales
    • Genera: Plasmodiophora, Polymyxa, Spongospora

Kingdom 2: Chromista/Straminopila

This kingdom includes a variety of unicellular and multicellular organisms, some of which produce motile zoospores. The Oomycota (water molds) are included in this kingdom and are an important group of plant pathogens.

2.1 Oomycota (Water Molds)

• These fungi-like organisms produce flagellated zoospores and are primarily aquatic. They are major pathogens of plants.
  • Class: Oomycetes
  • Order: Peronosporales
    • Family: Peronosporaceae
      • Genera: Plasmopara, Peronospora, Bremia, Pseudoperonospora, Sclerospora
    • Family: Pythiaceae
      • Genera: Pythium, Phytophthora
    • Family: Albuginaceae
      • Genera: Albugo
  • Order: Saprolegniales
    • Family: Saprolegniaceae
      • Genera: Saprolegnia, Achlya, Aphanomyces

2.2 Zygomycota (Zygomycetes)

• This group includes fungi that reproduce by the formation of zygospores.
  • Class: Zygomycetes
  • Order: Mucorales
    • Family: Mucoraceae
      • Genera: Rhizopus, Mucor, Choanephora
    • Family: Endogonaceae
      • Genera: Endogone
  • Order: Glomales
    • Family: Glomaceae
      • Genera: Glomus, Acaulospora, Gigaspora, Scutellospora

True Fungi

True fungi belong to the kingdom Fungi, and their classification is more diverse and extensive. This kingdom is characterized by mycelium (network of hyphae) and the presence of glucans and chitin in their cell walls.

3.1 Phylum: Chytridiomycota

These fungi are characterized by their zoospores with a single posterior flagellum. Most are aquatic, and they include both saprophytic and parasitic forms.

• Class: Chytridiomycetes
  • Order: Chytridiales
    • Family: Olpidiaceae
      • Genera: Olpidium, Physoderma, Synchytrium
  • Order: Rhizophydiales
    • Family: Rhizophydaceae
      • Genera: Rhizophydium

3.2 Phylum: Zygomycota

Zygomycetes produce non-motile spores within sporangia, and they are commonly found on decaying organic matter.

• Class: Zygomycetes
  • Order: Mucorales
    • Family: Mucoraceae
      • Genera: Rhizopus, Mucor, Choanephora
  • Order: Glomales
    • Family: Glomaceae
      • Genera: Glomus, Acaulospora, Gigaspora, Scutellospora

3.3 Phylum: Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)

Ascomycota are characterized by the production of ascospores in sac-like structures called asci. This group includes a wide variety of fungi, including yeasts, molds, and some pathogens.

• Class i: Archiascomycetes
  • Order: Taphrinales
    • Family: Taphrinaceae
      • Genera: Taphrina
  • Order: Protomycetales
    • Family: Protomycetaceae
      • Genera: Protomces
• Class ii: Saccharomycetes (Yeasts and related forms)
  • Order: Saccharomycetales
    • Family: Saccharomycetaceae
      • Genera: Saccharomyces, Galactomyces
• Class iii: Plectomycetes (Plectomycetes and related forms)
  • Order: Eurotiales
    • Family: Eurotiaceae
      • Genera: Eurotium, Talaromyces
• Class iv: Pyrenomycetes (Pyrenomycetes include many important plant pathogens)
  • Order: Hypocreales
    • Genera: Nectria, Gibberella, Claviceps

3.4 Phylum: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes or Club Fungi)

These are characterized by their production of basidiospores on a structure called a basidium. Basidiomycetes include mushrooms, puffballs, and rusts.

• Class i: Urediniomycetes (Rust Fungi)
  • Order: Uredinales
    • Family: Pucciniaceae
      • Genera: Puccinia, Gymnosporangium, Cronartium, Hemileia, Melampsora
• Class ii: Ustilaginomycetes (Smuts and Bunts)
  • Order: Ustilaginales
    • Family: Ustilaginaceae
      • Genera: Ustilago, Urocystis
• Class iii: Basidiomycetes (Hymenomycetes and Gasteromycetes)
  • Order: Agaricales
    • Family: Agaricaceae
      • Genera: Agaricus, Pleurotus, Marasmius, Lentinula
  • Order: Phallales
    • Genera: Geastrum, Clathrus