BioImages: The Virtual Field-Guide (UK)

(Hyphomycetes) (Moulds)

Notes (MWS)

Hyphomycetes are an unnatural (polyphyletic) group which is, basically, a dumping ground for those fungi of which the perfect (sexual) stage is unknown. Most are ascomycetes, but their reproduction is primarily by means of asexual spores (conidia). Under the right conditions many will produce fruiting bodies and their relationships can then be ascertained; often they turn out to be species which are already known. The true identities of the hyphomycetes are slowly being ellucidated by culturing and, more recently, DNA analysis.

Diagnostic features

Mycology has been called "The Study of Spores" and nowhere is this more the case than in the Hyphomycetes. The range of spore (conidia) shapes is truly astonishing, although one perhaps needs to have previously spent a few years studying agarics to appreciate the diversity!

The conidiophores are also of diagnostic importance.

Records (and photo sets)

Taxon	Summary	Date	Vice-county	Country
Hyphomycetes	Imperfect stage	21 August 2005	East Inverness-shire	Scotland	1		7
Hyphomycetes	Fruitbody	21 October 2001	Berks	England	6	3	5
Hyphomycetes	Imperfect stage	17 October 2000	Berks	England		6	1
Hyphomycetes	Conidiospore(s)	24 December 1998	Berks	England			1
Hyphomycetes	Conidiospore(s)	24 December 1998	Berks	England			3
Hyphomycetes	Conidiospore(s)	24 December 1998	Berks	England			4
Hyphomycetes	Conidiospore(s)	24 December 1998	Berks	England			5
Hyphomycetes	Imperfect stage	10 November 1974	Surrey	England		3

Suggested Literature

Identification Works

Cooke, R.C. & Godfrey, B.E.S., 1964	A Key to the Nematode-Destroying Fungi
Ellis, M.B. & J.P., 1997	Microfungi on Land Plants: An Identification Handbook
Ellis, M.B. & J.P., 1998	Microfungi on Miscellaneous Substrates: An Identification Handbook
Ellis, M.B., 1971	Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes
Ellis, M.B., 1976	More Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes
Hawksworth, D.L., 1979	The Lichenicolous Hyphomycetes
Ingold, C.T., 1975	Guide to Aquatic Hyphomycetes
Seifert, K., Kendrick, B. & Murase, G., 1983	A key to Hyphomycetes on dung