A major group of fungi, the Basidiomycota, produce specialized structure on their hyphae called clamp connection which ensures their dikaryotic condition. Some species form swollen cells at the tip of the hyphae called toluroid cells. Fungal hyphae can form larger structures visible to naked eye such as stroma and sclerotia. Both are just compact mass of somatic hyphae, except that stroma gives rise to fruiting bodies. Some fungi form thick hyphal strands called rhizomorphs.
Fungi reproduce by spores, asexually and sexually.
Asexual reproduction is repeated several times during the season and results in the production of large number of individuals which is important in the colonization of fungi. Example of fragmentation involves the breaking up of hyphae into component cells which function like a spore and are called arthrospores. If the cells' cell walls thicken before they separate from each other, they are called chlamydospores. Fission involves splitting of a cell into two daughter cells whereas budding involves production of a small outgrowth in a cell which will eventually grow into new cell. Example of fungi that reproduce by fission or budding is yeast.