Question:

Among the following fungi, which are placed under class Deuteromycetes?
(Alternaria, Aspergillus, Mucor, Claviceps, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Colletotrichum, Ustilago, Polyporus, Puccinia, Agaricus, Neurospora, Albugo, and Rhizopus)

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Deuteromycetes are often called "imperfect fungi" because they lack a known sexual reproductive stage. Common examples include Alternaria, Trichoderma, and Colletotrichum, which are often plant pathogens or saprophytes.
Updated On: Jun 2, 2025
  • Alternaria, Trichoderma, and Colletotrichum
  • Alternaria, Puccinia, and Neurospora
  • Mucor, Albugo, and Trichoderma
  • Ustilago, Polyporus, and Agaricus
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

To determine which fungi belong to the class Deuteromycetes, let’s break this down step by step:

Step 1: Understand the Deuteromycetes class
Deuteromycetes, also known as "imperfect fungi", are fungi that lack a known sexual reproductive stage (teleomorph). They reproduce asexually, typically through conidia, and are classified in this group because their sexual reproduction has not been observed or is absent. This class is often a temporary classification for fungi until their sexual stages are discovered.

Step 2: Classify the given fungi into their respective groups
  • Alternaria: Asexual reproduction via conidia; no sexual stage observed. Deuteromycetes.
  • Aspergillus: Asexual reproduction; known sexual stage exists. Ascomycetes.
  • Mucor: Asexual and sexual reproduction (zygospores); Zygomycetes.
  • Claviceps: Sexual reproduction known; Ascomycetes.
  • Penicillium: Asexual reproduction; sexual stage known. Ascomycetes.
  • Trichoderma: Asexual reproduction; no widely observed sexual stage. Deuteromycetes.
  • Colletotrichum: Asexual reproduction; sexual stage not commonly observed. Deuteromycetes.
  • Ustilago: Sexual reproduction known (smut fungus); Basidiomycetes.
  • Polyporus: Sexual reproduction known (bracket fungus); Basidiomycetes.
  • Puccinia: Sexual reproduction known (rust fungus); Basidiomycetes.
  • Agaricus: Sexual reproduction known (mushroom); Basidiomycetes.
  • Neurospora: Sexual reproduction known (bread mold); Ascomycetes.
  • Albugo: Sexual reproduction known (white rust); Oomycetes.
  • Rhizopus: Asexual and sexual reproduction (zygospores); Zygomycetes.
✅ Therefore, the fungi that belong to the class Deuteromycetes are:
Alternaria, Trichoderma, and Colletotrichum.

Correct Answer: (1) Alternaria, Trichoderma, and Colletotrichum
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