Biological features of fungi of the genus Mucor

Abstract

Mucor belongs to the most prominent order Mucorales, a phylogenetically ancient group of fungi referred to as “early divergent fungi”. The genus Mucor contains several species. The most common are Mucor amphibiorum, M. circinelloides, M. hiemalis, M. indicus, M. racemosus and M. ramosissimus. Mucor has fast growing colonies and is characterized by tall, simple, unbranched sporangiophores without basal rhizoids, non-apophyseal sporangia, and pigmented zygosporangial walls. The walls are covered with granules, and the swollen apex contains spores that are white or yellow when immature, becoming brownish gray or dark gray when mature. .Colonies usually have a fluffy appearance, the height of the colony is 3-4 cm, similar to cotton candy.