Fungi Relationships + Classification

Lichen

Mutualistic
fungus + photosynthetic partner; fungus provides protection and water, partner provides food.

Leaf Cutter Ant

Mutualistic

Leafcutter ants farm fungi for food; fungi receive leaves, protection, and care.

Ambriosa beetles

Mutualistic
Ambrosia beetles carry and cultivate fungi in wood; beetles get food, fungi get transport and habitat.

Mycorrhizae

fungus and plant roots; fungus increases water/mineral uptake, plant supplies sugars.

Zombie Ant

Parasitic
Fungal spore lands on ant and controls it to go to leaf
fungus grows on ant and makes spores to infect others

Zygomycota

Example: black bread mold

often grows on bread and fruit

Basidiomycota

Mushroom, puffball
typical mushroom fungi

Ascomycota

Penicilium

Sac fungi

Glomeromycota

form mycorrhizae
root fungi

Chytridiomycota

water fungi
flagellated spores (swimming)