Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Biology of Microfungi pp 127–145Cite as

Entomophthoromycota: A New Overview of Some of the Oldest Terrestrial Fungi

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: Fungal Biology ((FUNGBIO))

Abstract

The Entomophthoromycota is a newly described fungal phylum comprising what seem to be the oldest of all extant terrestrial (nonflagellate) fungi. These fungi, formerly treated in the now rejected Zygomycota, form a monophyletic group that is genetically, morphologically, developmentally, and biologically distinct from all other zygomycetous fungi. The phylogenetically based revision of these fungi in a new phylum validated the previous, traditionally based classification of all of these fungi in six families, although these families are now redistributed among three classes in the phylum. The general biology of these fungi is outlined here as a means of both underscoring the appropriateness of this new classification. A series of systematic questions about these fungi still needs to be addressed through further studies and perhaps through finding more genes that might be appropriate for discovering the phylogenetic relationships among these fungi.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Atkinson GF (1895) A potting bed fungus new to America. Bull NY Agric Exp Stat 94:252–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Bałazy S (1985) Notes on Hirsutella aphidis. Trans Br Mycol Soc 85:752–756

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bałazy S (1993) Entomophthorales. Flora of Poland (Flora Polska), Fungi (Mycota) 24. Polish Acad Sci, W Szafer Inst Botany, Kraków, pp 1–356

    Google Scholar 

  • Batko A (1966) On the subgenera of the fungus genus Zoophthora Batko 1964 (Entomophthoraceae). Acta Mycol 2:15–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Batko A, Weiser J (1965) On the taxonomic position of the fungus discovered by Strong, Wells, and Apple: Strongwellsea castrans gen. et sp. nov. (Phycomycetes: Entomophthoraceae). J Invertebr Pathol 7:455–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benny GL, Humber RA, Morton JB (2001) Zygomycota: Zygomycetes. In: McLaughlin DJ, McLaughlin E, Lemke PA (eds) The Mycota, vol 7A. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 113–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Ze’ev I, Kenneth RG (1982a) Features-criteria of taxonomic value in the Entomophthorales: I. A revision of the Batkoan classification. Mycotaxon 14:393–455

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Ze’ev I, Kenneth RG (1982b) Features-criteria of taxonomic value in the Entomophthorales: II. A revision of the genus Erynia Nowakowski 1881 (= Zoophthora Batko 1964). Mycotaxon 14:456–475

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Ze’ev I, Kenneth RG, Uziel A (1987) A reclassification of Entomophthora turbinata in Thaxterosporium gen. nov., Neozygitaceae fam. nov. (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales). Mycotaxon 28:313–326

    Google Scholar 

  • Boucias DG, Pendland JC (1998) Principles of insect pathology. Kluwer Academic, Boston

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Brefeld O (1884) Conidiobolus utriculosus und minor. Untersuch Gesammtgeb Mykol 6(2):35–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Butt TM, Beckett A (1984) Ultrastructure of mitosis in the aphid pathogenic fungus Erynia neoaphidis. Protoplasma 120:72–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butt TM, Humber RA (1989) An immunofluorescence study of mitosis in a mite-pathogen, Neozygites sp. (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales). Protoplasma 151:115–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butt TM, Beckett A, Wilding N (1990) A histological study of the invasive and developmental processes of the aphid pathogen Erynia neoaphidis (Zygomycotina: Entomophthorales) in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. Can J Bot 68:2153–2163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butt TM, Hajek AE, Humber RA (1996) Gypsy moth immune defenses in response to hyphal bodies and natural protoplasts of entomophthoralean fungi. J Invertebr Pathol 68:278–285

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Couch JN, Andreeva RV, Laird M, Nolan RA (1979) Tabanomyces milkoi (Dudka and Koval) emended, genus novum, a fungal pathogen of horseflies. Proc Nat Acad Sci USA 76:2299–2302

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cutter VM Jr (1942a) Nuclear behavior in the Mucorales. I. The Mucor pattern. Bull Torrey Bot Club 69:480–508

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cutter VM Jr (1942b) Nuclear behavior in the Mucorales. II. The Rhizopus, Phycomyces, and Sporodinia patterns. Bull Torrey Bot Club 69:592–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Descals E, Webster J (1984) Branched aquatic conidia in Erynia and Entomophthora sensu lato. Trans Br Mycol Soc 83:669–682

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Descals E, Webster J, Ladle M, Bass JAB (1981) Variations in asexual reproduction in species of Entomophthora on aquatic insects. Trans Br Mycol Soc 77:85–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drechsler C (1940) Three fungi destructive to free-living terricolous nematodes. J Wash Acad Sci 30:240–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Drechsler C (1952) Widespread distribution of Delacroixia coronata and other saprophytic Entomophthoraceae in plant detritus. Science 115:575–576

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Drechsler C (1953) Three new species of Conidiobolus isolated from leaf mold. J Wash Acad Sci 43:29–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunphy GB, Nolan RA (1977) Regeneration of protoplasts of Entomophthora egressa, a fungal pathogen of the eastern hemlock looper. Can J Bot 55:107–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer J, Burwell B, Humber RA, Mcleod C, Fleetwood M, Johnson T (2006) Schizangiella serpentis infection in a Virginia ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta). Vet Pathol 43:819

    Google Scholar 

  • Eilenberg J, Michelsen V (1999) Natural host range and prevalence of the genus Strongwellsea (Zygomycota: Entomophthorales) in Denmark. J Invertebr Pathol 73:189–198

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eilenberg J, Bresciani J, Latgé J-P (1986) Ultrastructural studies of primary spore formation and discharge in the genus Entomophthora. J Invertebr Pathol 48:318–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gryganskyi AP, Humber RA, Smith ME, Miadlikowska J, Wu S, Voigt K et al (2012) Molecular phylogeny of the Entomophthoromycota. Mol Phylogenet Evol 65:682–694

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gryganskyi AP, Humber RA, Smith ME, Hodge K, Huang B, Voigt K, Vilgalys R (2013a) Phylogenetic lineages in Entomophthoromycota. Persoonia 30:94–105

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Gryganskyi AP, Humber RA, Stajich JE, Mullens B, Anishchenko IM, Vilgalys R (2013b) Sequential utilization of hosts from different fly families by genetically distinct, sympatric populations within the Entomophthora muscae species complex. PloS One 8:e71168. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071168

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hall IM (1959) The fungus Entomophthora erupta (Dustan) attacking the black grass bug, Irbisia solani (Heidemann) (Hemiptera, Miridae), in California. J Insect Pathol 1:48–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Heath IB (ed) (1978) Nuclear division in the fungi. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Hibbett DS, Binder M, Bischoff JF, Blackwell M, Cannon PF, Eriksson OE et al (2007) A higher-level phylogenetic classification of the fungi. Mycol Res 111:509–547

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Humber RA (1975) Aspects of the biology of an insect-parasitic fungus, Strongwellsea magna (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales). PhD dissertation, University of Washington, Seattle

    Google Scholar 

  • Humber RA (1976) The systematics of the genus Strongwellsea (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales). Mycologia 68:1042–1060

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Humber RA (1981) An alternative view of certain taxonomic criteria used in the Entomophthorales (Zygomycetes). Mycotaxon 13:191–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Humber RA (1982) Strongwellsea vs. Erynia: the case for a phylogenetic classification of the Entomophthorales (Zygomycetes). Mycotaxon 15:167–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Humber RA (1989) Synopsis of a revised classification for the Entomophthorales (Zygomycotina). Mycotaxon 34:441–460

    Google Scholar 

  • Humber RA (2000) Fungal pathogens and parasites of insects. In: Priest F, Goodfellow M (eds) Applied microbial systematics. Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, pp 199–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Humber RA (2008) Evolution of entomopathogenicity in fungi. J Invertebr Pathol 98:262–266

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Humber RA (2009) Fungi: Entomogenous fungi. In: Schaechter M (ed) Encyclopedia of microbiology, 3rd edn. Elsevier, San Diego, pp 443–456

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Humber RA (2011) Entomogenous fungi. In: Schaechter M (ed) Eukaryotic microbes. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 127–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Humber RA (2012) Entomophthoromycota: a new phylum and reclassification for entomophthoroid fungi. Mycotaxon 120:477–492

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Humber RA, Ramoska WA (1986) Variations in entomophthoralean life cycles: practical implications. In: Samson RA, Vlak JM, Peters D (eds) Fundamental and applied aspects of invertebrate pathology. Foundation for the 4th International Colloquium of Invertebrate Pathology, Wageningen, pp 190–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Humber RA, Brown CC, Kornegay RW (1989) Equine zygomycosis caused by Conidiobolus lamprauges. J Clin Microbiol 27:573–576

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ippen R (1980) Ein Beitrag zu den Mykosen der Schlangen. Milu, Berlin 5:386–396

    Google Scholar 

  • James TY, Kauff F, Schoch C, Matheny PB, Hofstetter V, Cox CJ et al (2006) Reconstructing the early evolution of Fungi using a six-gene phylogeny. Nature 443(7113):818–822

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jessup DA, Seely JC (1981) Zygomycete fungus infection in two captive snakes: gopher snake (Pituophis melanoleucos); copperhead (Agkistrondon contortrix). J Zoo Anim Med 12:54–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan W, Chandler FW, Padhye AA, Hamm TE Jr (1983) A zygomycotic infection in captive snakes. Sabouraudia 21:85–91

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keller S, Petrini O (2005) Keys to the identification of the arthropod pathogenic genera of the families Entomophthoraceae and Neozygitaceae (Zygomycetes), with descriptions of three new subfamilies and a new genus. Sydowia 57:23–53

    Google Scholar 

  • King DS (1976a) Systematics of Conidiobolus (Entomophthorales) using numerical taxonomy. I. Biology and cluster analysis. Can J Bot 54:45–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King DS (1976b) Systematics of Conidiobolus (Entomophthorales) using numerical taxonomy. II. Taxonomic considerations. Can J Bot 54:1285–1296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King DS (1977) Systematics of Conidiobolus (Entomophthorales) using numerical taxonomy. III. Descriptions of recognized species. Can J Bot 55:718–729

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Latgé J-P, Eilenberg J, Beauvais A, Prevost MC (1988) Morphology of Entomophthora muscae protoplasts grown in vitro. Protoplasma 146:166–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manners JG (1966) Assessment of germination. In: Madelin MF (ed) The fungus spore (Colston Papers No 18). Butterworths, London, pp 165–173

    Google Scholar 

  • McCabe DE, Humber RA, Soper RS (1984) Observation and interpretation of nuclear reductions during maturation and germination of entomophthoralean resting spores. Mycologia 76:1104–1107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKerracher LJ, Heath IB (1985) The structure and cycle of the nucleus-associated organelle in two species of Basidiobolus. Mycologia 77:412–417

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore D (2013) Fungal biology in the origin and emergence of life. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Moorman GW (1976) Mitosis in Ancylistes sp. Mycologia 68:902–909

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murrin F, Heath IM, Newcomb W (1984) The taxonomic significance of the mitotic spindle and nucleus-associated organelle of Entomophthora aulicae. Protoplasma 120:84–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murrin F, Holtby J, Nolan RA, Davidson WS (1986) The genome of Entomophaga aulicae (Entomophthorales, Zygomycetes): base composition and size. Exp Mycol 10:67–75

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nagahama T, Sato H, Shimazu M, Sugiyama J (1995) Phylogenetic divergence of the entomophthoralean fungi: evidence from nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequences. Mycologia 87:203–209

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen C, Sommer C, Eilenberg J, Hansen KS, Humber RA (2001) Characterization of aphid pathogenic species in the genus Pandora by PCR techniques and digital image analysis. Mycologia 93:864–874

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Normark BB, Judson OP, Moran NA (2003) Genomic signatures of ancient asexual lineages. Biol J Linn Soc 79:69–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Page RM, Humber RA (1973) Phototropism in Conidiobolus coronatus. Mycologia 65:335–354

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Remaudière G, Hennebert GL (1980) Révision systématique de Entomophthora aphidis Hoffm. in Fres. Description de deux nouveaux pathogènes d’aphides. Mycotaxon 11:269–321

    Google Scholar 

  • Remaudière G, Keller S (1980) Révision systématique des genres d’Entomophthoraceae à potentialité entomopathogène. Mycotaxon 11:323–338

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinow CF (1963) Observations on cell growth, mitosis and division in the fungus Basidiobolus ranarum. J Cell Biol 17:123–152

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Saikawa M (2011) Ultrastructural studies on zygomycotan fungi in the Zoopagaceae and Cochlonemataceae. Mycoscience 52:83–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soper RS (1974) The genus Massospora, entomopathogenic for cicadas. Part I, Taxonomy of the genus. Mycotaxon 1:13–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Speare AT (1921) Massospora cicadina Peck: a fungous parasite of the periodical cicada. Mycologia 13:72–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steinkraus DC, Oliver JB, Humber RA, Gaylor MJ (1998) Mycosis of banded winged whitefly (Trialeurodes abutilonea) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) caused by Orthomyces aleyrodis gen. & sp. nov. (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae). J Invertebr Pathol 72:1–8

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sun NC, Bowen CC (1972) Ultrastructural studies of nuclear division in Basidiobolus ranarum Eidam. Caryologia 25:471–494

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka K (1970) Mitosis in the fungus Basidiobolus ranarum as revealed by electron microscopy. Protoplasma 70:423–440

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thaxter R (1888) The Entomophthoreae of the United States. Mem Boston Soc Nat Hist 4:133–201, plates xiv–xxi

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyrrell D, Macleod DM (1972) Spontaneous formation of protoplasts by a species of Entomophthora. J Invertebr Pathol 19:354–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA-ARS Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, 538 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY, 14853-2901, USA

    Richard A. Humber Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Richard A. Humber Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard A. Humber Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Valley Laboratory, Windsor, CT, USA

    De-Wei Li

  2. Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

    De-Wei Li

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Humber, R.A. (2016). Entomophthoromycota: A New Overview of Some of the Oldest Terrestrial Fungi. In: Li, DW. (eds) Biology of Microfungi. Fungal Biology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29137-6_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation