General Information about Zygomycetes Mold
Molds can grow in many different ways and in different conditions. Know the types of mold that can be found in and around your home.
Microscopic View Zygomycetes Mold
9+ species
Ubiquitous, Cosmopolitan.
What are some of zygomycetes molds characteristics?
Grows well on general cellulose surfaces.
Where does zygomycetes grow outside?
Often found growing in soil, dung, paint, grasses, fibers, wood, decaying plant material, paper, and textiles.
Where does zygomycetes grow inside?
Grows indoors on cellulose-containing materials such as gypsum board, paper, paint, tapestries, jute, other straw materials.
General Information
Spore Catagory
Zygomycetes are one of the four major groups of fungi, the others being the Oomycetes, the Ascomycetes, and the Basidiomycetes. Zygomycetes are common, fast growing, and often overgrow and/or inhibit other fungi nearby. Rhizopus and Mucor are two of the most common Zygomycetes seen in the indoor environment. However, others are seen as well, including Syncephalastrum, Circinella, Mortierella, Mycotypha, Cunninghamella, and Choanephora.
Is zygomycetes “black mold”?
The term black mold (also “toxic black mold”) is not scientific but is widely used by the media to usually reference Stachybotrys molds.
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Is zygomycetes toxic or considered black mold?
The toxic effects of mold exposure is highly disputed by the medical community. Therefore, we focus on the two established health issues related to mold – asthma/allergies and infections. Zygomeycetes can cause infections in humans, although this typically only occurs in immunocompromised patients. Per the article Zygomycetes in Human Disease, examples include conditions such as diabetes mellitus, neutropenia, sustained immunosuppressive therapy, chronic prednisone use, iron chelation therapy, broad-spectrum antibiotic use, severe malnutrition, and primary breakdown in the integrity of the cutaneous barrier such as trauma, surgical wounds, needle sticks, or burns.