Comparison between Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes

Learn about the comparison between ascomycetes and basidiomycetes.

1. The Ascomycetes are characterized by the development of asci and ascospores. But the Basidiomycetes produce basidia and basidiospores.

2. Both the ascospores and basidiospores are formed by karyogamy and meiosis. But the ascospores are borne endogenously in an ascus, whereas the basidiospores are produced exogenously on a basidium.

3. Majority of the Ascomycetes and the Basidiomycetes produce fruit bodies.

4. In both these classes of fungi the somatic structure is represented by well- developed septate mycelium.

5. A great number of Ascomycetes produce spores by which they reproduce asexually. But in the Basidiomycetes the asexual reproduction is rather insignificant.

6. The general life cycle of the Ascomycetes and the Basidiomycetes follows almost the same pattern comprising of haplophase, dikaryophase, and diplophase.

7. The dikaryophase of the Ascomycetes is dependent on the haplophase for nutrition. But in the Basidiomycetes the dikaryophase is completely independent.

8. The cells (apical or otherwise) of the dikaryotic hyphae are responsible for the development of asci and ascospores. Whereas, the Basidiomycetes produce dikaryotic secondary and tertiary mycelia. The former are responsible for the development of basidia and basidiospores, and the latter give rise to the sterile tissue of the fruit body.

9. The dikaryotic condition in the Ascomycetes is established by the develop­ment of gametangia, or by spermatization, or by somatogamy. No gametangia are produced in the Basidiomycetes. Dikaryotization is either by spermatization or by somatogamy.

10. There is partial degeneration of visible sexuality in the Ascomycetes. But in the Basidiomycetes, there is complete degeneration of visible sexuality.

11. The Ascomycetes are mostly characterized by crozier formation. Whereas the Basidiomycetes possess clamp connections in their dikaryotic mycelia.