Practice question

Zygomycota sensu lato defined by sexual reproduction involving fusion of compatible progametangia from opposite mating types positive and negative forming thick-walled zygosporangium containing single zygospore. Karyogamy of haploid nuclei followed by meiosis yields haploid spores after dormancy period. Zygospore withstands desiccation due to melanized multi-layered wall with sporopollenin. Ascomycota produce ascospores, Basidiomycota basidiospores, conidia are asexual mitospores. Zygospore formation via conjugation, hence name conjugation fungi, differentiates this group despite modern split into Mucoromycota and Zoopagomycota maintaining characteristic zygosporogenesis. Meiosis inside zygosporangium after dormancy ensures genetic variation and dispersal of haploid progeny adapting to changing environmental conditions.