ascomycete
/ˌaskəˈmʌɪsiːt
/noun (plural ascomycetes /ˌaskəˈmʌɪsiːts/ /ˌaskəmʌɪˈsiːtiːz/) Botany
A fungus whose spores develop within asci (cylindrical sacs). They include most moulds, mildews, and yeasts, the fungal component of most lichens, and a few large forms such as morels and truffles. Compare with basidiomycete.
- Subdivision Ascomycotina (formerly class Ascomycetes): several classes.
- Interestingly, active members of the pogo family are widely dispersed in ascomycetes, whereas no transposing elements have been found in other organisms.
- Most ascomycetes have only two different mating types, as opposed to certain other fungi, in which many more mating types exist.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from modern Latin Ascomycetes (former class name), from Greek askos 'sac' + mukētes 'fungi'.