Sub Phylum: Ascomycotina
The largest division of fungi, many are parasite on
plant and others are saprobic live on soil or on decaying materials. the
distinguishing characteristic of all it s members is the ascus (pl. asci), a sac-like
cell in which meiosis and karyogamy (nuclear division) occur and within which
the resulting meiospores (specifically called ascospores) develop, during
sexual reproduction. The number of ascospores formed is usually constant and
typically 8. Inthe large majority the asci are elongated, either club- shaped or cylindrical.,
One of the
most important features of ascus morphology, now proposed as the basis for
classification of Ascomycota is the
structure of ascus wall. In general two types of asci are recognized: the
unitunicate and bitunicate, Unitunicate asci have a single wall. Some have a
built-in lid or operculum Other asci have no operculum.
The fruiting bodies that make and hold the asci are
called ascocarps.