The Cunninghamellaceae are a family of fungi in the order Mucorales.[1]

Cunninghamellaceae
"Cunninghamella echinulata"
Cunninghamella echinulata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Mucoromycota
Class: Mucoromycetes
Order: Mucorales
Family: Cunninghamellaceae
Naumov ex R.K.Benj. (1959)
Type genus
Cunninghamella
Matr. (1903)
Genera

Taxonomy

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At one time, this family contained four genera.[2] At present, the number of genera in this family is under debate.[3] According to Benny and Alexopoulos, the family only contains the genus Cunninghamella.[3][4] However, other (recent) authors have listed other genera, including Absidia, Halteromyces, and Hesseltinella.[5] The full list can be viewed at the webpage Cunninghamellaceae maintained by Gerald L. Benny.

Morphology

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Hyphae are coenocytic and produce sporangiophores covered in calcium oxalate. Sporangiophores give rise to pedicellate, unispored sporangia.[4] In many cases, the wall of the sporangium and the spore have fused.[6] Zygospores tend to be ornamented and reddish-brown with opposed suspensors.[4]

Ecology

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Cunninghamella species are commonly encountered in forest soils, dung,[4] and nuts from the tropics.[2] Species can be isolated using Czapek medium incubated for 3–4 days at 28-31C.[7] A few species are known human pathogens.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Cunninghamellaceae".
  2. ^ a b Hesseltine C. W. & J. J. Ellis. 1973. Mucorales. in: The Fungi: An Advanced Treatise. Volume 5B. A Taxonomic Review with Keys: Basidiomycetes and Lower Fungi. Academic Press. New York. pg. 187-217.
  3. ^ a b "Zygomycetes: Cunninghamellaceae".
  4. ^ a b c d e Alexopoulos C. J., C. W. Mims, & M. Blackwell. 1996. Introductory Mycology. Fourth Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  5. ^ Walther, G., Pawlowska, J., Alastruey-Izquierdo, A., Wrzosek, M., Rodriguez-Tudela, J. L., Dolatabadi, S., ... & de Hoog, G. S. (2013). DNA barcoding in Mucorales: an inventory of biodiversity. Persoonia, 30(1), 11-47.
  6. ^ Kendrick, Bryce. 2000. The Fifth Kingdom. Third Edition. Focus Publishing & R. Pullins Company. Newburyport, MA.
  7. ^ Mycology Guidebook Committee, Mycological Society of America. 1981. Mycology Guidebook. Editor: Russel B. Stevens. University of Washington Press Seattle, Washington.
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