Phycomyces nitens (or Rhiozopus nigricans) 



A. Classification: 



Division I. Thallophyta. 



Subdivision B. Fungi. 



Class III. Phycomycetes (alga-fungi). 

 Order. Mucorales (the molds). 

 Family. Mucoraceae. 

 Genus. Phycomyces. 

 Species, nitens Kantze & Schmidt. 



B. Habitat: 



i. Upon what substratum is the Phycomyces growing? 

 What atmospheric condition seems to be most 

 favorable to its growth? 



C. Naked-eye Characters: 



1. Describe in detail the appearance of this plant as 

 it grows. What is its color? Describe any varia- 

 tions in color. 



2. Note the aerial filaments or hyphse. Do they 

 grow erect or horizontally? How many milli- 

 meters long are they? 



3. On the ends of some of them observe the enlarged 

 structure, the sporangium. Describe its shape. 

 From its name, sporangium, what do you infer that 

 it contains? Hyphae that bear sporangia are 

 sporangiophores. What does the term literally 

 mean? 



4. Compare the height of the sporangiophores bearing 

 young (yellowish) sporangia, with that of those 

 bearing more mature (dark-colored) sporangia. 

 Explain the significance and advantage of this. 



5. Using the hand lens, note the vegetative hyphae 



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