Neocallimastigomycota

Neocallimastigomycota
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Neocallimastigomycota M.J. Powell 2007[2]
Class:	Neocallimastigomycetes M.J. Powell 2007[2]
Order:	Neocallimastigales J.L. Li, I.B. Heath & L. Packer[1]
Family:	Neocallimastigaceae
Type genus
Neocallimastix (I.B. Heath 1983) Vavra & Joyon
Genera
Aestipascuomyces Agriosomyces Aklioshbomyces Anaeromyces Buwchfawromyces Caecomyces Capellomyces Cyllamyces Feramyces Ghazallomyces Liebetanzomyces Joblinomyces Khoyollomyces Neocallimastix Oontomyces Orpinomyces Paucimyces Pecoramyces Piromyces Tahromyces

Wikispecies has information related to Neocallimastigomycota.

Neocallimastigomycota is a phylum containing anaerobic fungi, which are symbionts found in the digestive tracts of larger herbivores. Anaerobic fungi were originally placed within phylum Chytridiomycota, within Order Neocallimastigales but later raised to phylum level,^[3] a decision upheld by later phylogenetic reconstructions.^[4] It encompasses only one family.^[3]

Discovery

The fungi in Neocallimastigomycota were first recognised as fungi by Orpin in 1975,

Neocallimastigomycota have also been found in humans.[9]

Circumscription

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Reproduction and growth

These fungi reproduce in the rumen of ruminants through the formation of zoospores which are released from sporangia. These zoospores bear a kinetosome but lack the nonflagellated centriole known in most chytrids,^[2] and have been known to utilize horizontal gene transfer in their development of xylanase (from bacteria) and other glucanases.^[10]

The

Neocallimastigomycota play an essential role in fibre-digestion in their host species. They are present in large numbers in the digestive tracts of animals which are fed on high fibre diets.[13] The polysaccharide degrading enzymes produced by anaerobic fungi can hydrolyse the most recalcitrant plant polymers and can degrade unlignified plant cell walls entirely.^[14][15] Orpinomyces sp. exhibited the capacity of xylanase, CMCase, lichenase, amylase, β-xylosidase, β-glucosidase, α-Larabinofuranosidase and minor amounts of β-cellobiosidase production by utilizing avicel as the sole energy source.^[16] The polysaccharide degrading enzymes are organised into a multiprotein complex, similar to the bacterial cellulosome.^[17]

Spelling of name

The Greek termination, "-mastix", referring to "whips", i.e. the many