The fungal world: Basic traits	Zygomycetes	Ascomycetes	Basidomycetes
Chytrids	Slime molds (P)	Oomycota	1. Deuteromycetes 2. Lichens

Subdivision Deuteromycotina - The Fungi Imperfecti

Class Deuteromycetes

This class of artifically grouped fungi have no sexual reproduction and are consequently called the Fungi Imperfecti because their life cycles are "imperfect".

Most of the 17.000 species reproduce by conidia. They are classed by the color and structure of the conidia. Since most of the condia structures look like ascomycete type, they are believed to be derived from ascos who lost the ability to reproduce sexually. In some cases however their forms looks like they may have been derived from a basidomycetes.

Most of the species are terrestrial and free-living saprobes but some are parasitic.

Many fungal diseases that infect humans belong to this group including species which cause ringworm, athletes foot, aspergillosus, and candida which form the "yeast infections" known to many.

Commercially important species include those of the Penicillum genera:

• P. notatum = discovery of penicillin and P. chrysogenum for commercial production of penicillin
• P. griseofulvum for its antibiotic used in ringworm & athlete'sfoot treatment
• P. roquefortii and P.camembertii for their respective cheeses ( to be tasted in lab)

Below are videomicroscopic images we obtained in lab

More typically they look like this: