Entomophthorales

Entomophthorales
The Entomophthorales are an order of fungi that were previously classified in the class Zygomycetes. A new subdivision, Entomophthoromycotina, in 2007, was circumscribed for them.
Most species of the entomophthorales are pathogens of insects. A few attack nematodes, mites, and tardigrades, and some (particularly species of the genus Conidiobolus) are free-living saprotrophs.
The name "entomophthorales" is derived from the Ancient Greek for insect destroyer (entomo- = referring to insects, and phthor = "destruction"). Named after genus Entomophthora in 1856.
Highlighted species
Basidiobolus ranarum, a commensal fungus of frogs and a mammal pathogen
Conidiobolus coronatus, a saprotrophic fungus of leaf litter and a mammal pathogen
Entomophaga maimaiga, a biocontrol agent of spongy moths
Entomophthora muscae, a pathogen of houseflies
Massospora spp., pathogens of periodical cicadas
Pandora, including Pandora neoaphidis, an obligate pathogen of aphids
Biology
Most species of the entomophthorales produce ballistic asexual spores that are forcibly discharged. When not landing on a suitable host, these spores can germinate to make one of several alternate spore forms, including a smaller version of the original spore, or (in some species) an adhesive spore elevated on a very slender conidiophore called a capilliconidiophore.
Classification
Debates have centred on whether the Basidiobolaceae should be included in the entomophthorales, or raised to ordinal status. Molecular systematics approaches so far give an ambiguous answer. Some analyses suggest the Basidiobolaceae are more closely related to certain chytrid fungi than to the entomophthorales. and place it within the Chytridiales order. Others find weak support to maintain them in the Entomophthorales. Morphological characters can be found to support either hypothesis.
Family Ancylistaceae Schröter 1893
Ancyclistes Pfitzer 1872
Capillidium
Conidiobolus Brefeld 1884 emend. Humber 1989 [Conidiobolus (Conidiobolus) (Brefeld) Ben-Ze’ev & Kenneth 1982; Conidiobolus (Delacroixia) (Sacc. & Syd.) Tyrrell & MacLeod 1972]
Macrobiotophthora Reukauf 1912 emend. Tucker 1981
Family Completoriaceae Humber 1989
Completoria Lohde 1874
Family Entomophthoraceae Nowakowski 1877 [Empusaceae Clem. & Shear 1931]
Subfamily Erynioideae Keller 2005 [Massosporoideae Keller 2005]
Erynia (Nowakowski ex Batko 1966) Remaud. & Hennebert 1980.emend. Humber 1989 [Zoophthora (Erynia) Nowakowski ex Batko 1966]
Eryniopsis Humber 1984 (in part)
Furia (Batko 1966) Humber 2005 [Zoophthora (Furia) Batko 1966; Erynia (Furia) (Batko 1966) Li & Humber 1984]
Orthomyces Steinkraus, Humber & Oliver 1988
Pandora Humber 2005 [Erynia (Neopandora) Ben-Ze’ev & Kenneth 1982]
Strongwellsea Batko & Weiser 1965 emend. Humber 1976
Tarichium
Zoophthora Batko 1964 emend. Ben-Ze’ev & Kenneth 2005
Subfamily Entomophthoroideae Keller 2005
Batkoa Humber 2005
Entomophaga Batko 1964 emend. Humber 1989
Entomophthora Fresenius 1856 [Empusa (Triplosporium) Thaxter 1888]
Eryniopsis Humber 1984 (in part)
Massospora Peck 1879 emend. Soper 1974
Family Meristacraceae Humber 1989
Meristacrum Drechsler 1940 emend. Tucker & Humber 1981
References
External links
G. Benny. Entomophthorales section of Zygomycetes.org
Fungus orders