Question

A scientist discovers a new species of fungus that introduces genetic diversity during reproduction by creating a diploid zygote. This new species cannot belong to which modern phylum of fungi?

a. Zygomycota

b. Glomeromycota

c. Chytridiomycota

d. Deuteromycota

Short answer

The correct answer is (d) d. Deuteromycota

Species of fungus that introduces genetic diversity during reproduction by creating a diploid zygote. This new species cannot belong to Deuteromycota.

Step-by-step solution

Step1. Introduction  

The kingdom Fungi contains five major phyla that were established according to their mode of sexual reproduction or using molecular data.

The five true phyla of fungi are the Chytridiomycota (Chytrids), the Zygomycota (conjugated fungi), the Ascomycota (sac fungi), the Basidiomycota (club fungi) and Glomeromycota.

Step2. Explanation of the correct answer   

(d) d. Deuteromycota

Imperfect fungi—those that do not display a sexual phase—use to be classified in the form phylum Deuteromycota, , a classification group no longer used in the present, ever-developing classification of organisms.

Species of fungus that introduces genetic diversity during reproduction by creating a diploid zygote. This new species cannot belong to Deuteromycota.

Step3. Explanation for Incorrect Options 

a. Zygomycota

The zygomycetes are a relatively small group of fungi belonging to the Phylum Zygomycota. Zygomycetes have a thallus of coenocytic hyphae in which the nuclei are haploid when the organism is in the vegetative stage. The fungi usually reproduce asexually by producing sporangiospores.

Zygomycetes have asexual and asexual life cycles.

b. Glomeromycota

The Glomeromycota which comprises about 230 species that all live in close association with the roots of trees. Fossil records indicate that trees and their root symbionts share a long evolutionary history.

The glomeromycetes do not reproduce sexually and do not survive without the presence of plant roots.

c. Chytridiomycota

Chytridiomycota are considered the most primitive group of fungi. They are mostly aquatic, and their gametes are the only fungal cells known to have flagella.

They reproduce both sexually and asexually; the asexual spores are called zoospores.