CHYTRIDIOMYCETES

a class of fungi (kingdom Fungi) distinguished by having zoospores (motile cells) with a single, posterior, whiplash structure (flagellum). Species are microscopic in size, and most are found in freshwater or wet soils. Most are parasites of algae and animals or live on organic debris (as saprobes). Allomyces, a genus of six species of the order Blastocladiales, is especially widespread in tropical soils. Coelomomycetes contains parasites of mosquito larvae. A few species in the order Chytridiales cause plant disease.