Pythiaceae

Pythiaceae
	Water mould - Phytophthora forms: A: Sporangia. B: Zoospore. C: Chlamydospore. D: Oospore
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Diaphoretickes
Clade:	SAR
Clade:	Stramenopiles
Phylum:	Oomycota
Order:	Peronosporales
Family:	Pythiaceae; J. Schröt., 1893
Type genus
	Pythium; Pringsh., 1858
Genera
	Cystosiphon; Diasporangium; Globisporangium; Lagenidium; Myzocytium; Pythium; Trachysphaera;

Pythiaceae is a family of oomycetes. The family includes serious plant and animal pathogens in the genus Pythium. The family was circumscribed by German mycologist Joseph Schröter in 1893.

Lifecycle[edit]

Live on land (terrestrial), and in water (aquatic), or a combination of the two (amphibious).
Most are deadly parasites, causing root rot and damping off on plants and pythiosis on animals.
The diploid (2N) life stage predominates, with a short haplophase initiated during sexual reproduction before the fusion of the gametes. Most species are homothallic.

Reproduction[edit]

The sporangia may germinate via a germ tube or by release of motile zoospores, depending on the species and the environmental conditions.

Economic importance[edit]

Some Pythium species cause "damping off" diseases in young plants (seedlings).

References[edit]

C.J. Alexopolous, Charles W. Mims, M. Blackwell et al., Introductory Mycology, 4th ed. (John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken NJ, 2004) ISBN 0-471-52229-5

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