Classification of Fungi by Alexopoulos and Mims | Mycology | Testbook.com

Throughout the years, mycologists have strived to classify fungi based on their reproductive and vegetative traits. Traditionally, fungi are divided into four classes: Ascomycetes, Phycomycetes, Basidiomycetes, and Deuteromycetes. Phycomycetes include fungi such as Oomycetes, Chytridiomycetes, and Zygomycetes, which are considered lower fungi with origins traced back to algae.

In 1979, C. J. Alexopoulos and C. W. Mims took a different approach and categorized fungus and slime moulds as part of the Myceteae superkingdom under Eukaryonta. This kingdom is then divided into three divisions, with each division further broken down into a class, a form-class, and a sub-division.

Here's a simplified view of their classification:

Superkingdom Eukaryonta

• Kingdom Myceteae (Fungi)
  • Division Gymnomycota
    • Subdivision Acrasiogymnomycotina
      • Class Acrasiomycetes
    • Subdivision Plasmodiogymnomycotina
      • Class Protosteliomycetes
      • Class Myxomycetes
  • Division Mastigomycota
    • Subdivision Haplomastigomycotina
      • Class Chytridiomycetes
      • Class Hyphochytridiomycetes
      • Class Plasmodiophoromycetes
    • Subdivision Diplomastigomycotina
      • Class Oomycetes
  • Division Amastigomycota
    • Subdivision Zygomycotina
      • Class Zygomycetes
      • Class Trichomycetes
    • Subdivision Ascomycotina
      • Class Ascomycetes
    • Subdivision Basidiomycotina
      • Class Basidiomycetes
    • Subdivision Deuteromycotina
      • Form class Deuteromycetes

More Information:

• Kingdom Fungi
• Five Kingdom Classification
• Penicillium

For more in-depth information, visit Biology Section .