Classification of Fungi by
Hibbett et al. (2007)
A Modern Phylogenetic
Approach To Fungal Taxonomy
Manjari Chaki
Semester 1 ([Link])
Dept. of Botany
University of Calcutta
Introduction
▪ What is Hibbett Classification of fungi?
• Proposed by David Hibbett and colleagues in
2007
• A phylogenetic system of classification based
on DNA sequence analysis
• Recognizes five major fungal phyla under the
kingdom Fungi
• Introduced a more refined and dynamic
classification system for fungi
• Traditional classification was based on
morphological traits
• Advances in molecular biology and
genetics necessitated a new approach
• Monophyletic groups replaced
polyphyletic classifications
Why a New
Classification?
An Overview of the classification
The classification accepts -
• 1 kingdom
• 7 phyla
• 10 subphyla
• 35 classes
• 12 subclasses
A
diagrammatic
representation
of Hibbett
classification
Major Phyla of Fungi in Hibbett
Classification (2007)
❑Seven major phyla:
– Chytridiomycota
– Neocallimastigomycota
– Blastocladiomycota
– Glomeromycota
– Microsporidia
– Ascomycota
– Basidiomycota
Phylum Chytridiomycota
• Oldest fungal lineage
• Produce flagellated zoospores
• Often found in aquatic and moist
environments
e.g., Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
(a fungus that causes
chytridiomycosis in amphibians)
Phylum NEOCALLIMASTIGOMYCOTA
• Found in digestive tracts of herbivores
• Anaerobic
• Produces zoospores with one or more posterior
flagella
• lacks mitochondria but contains hydrogenosomes
(hydrogen producing, membrane-bound
organelles that generate energy in the form of
adenosine triphosphate, or ATP)
E.g: Agriosomyces sp. , Caecomyces
Phylum BLASTOCLADIOMYCOTA
• Some are parasitic on plants and
animals while some are saprotrophic.
• Both aquatic and terrestrial
• Zoospores flagellated
• Alternates between haploid and diploid
• generations (zygotic meiosis) is
observed.
E.g: Allomyces sp. ,
Blastocladia sp.
Blastocladia sp.
Phylum
MICROSPORIDIA
• Parasitic on animals and protists
• Unicellular
• Highly reduced mitochondria
• Phylum not subdivided due to lack of well-
defined phylogenetic relationships within
the group.
E.g: Dictyocoela diporeiae ,
Glugea stephani.
Phylum Zygomycota
• Form zygospores during sexual reproduction
• Later divided into new clades like
Mucoromycota
• e.g.,
Rhizopus Mucor
Phylum Glomeromycota
• Form arbuscular mycorrhizal associations with plant roots
• Reproduce asexually by glomerospores
• Possess coenocytic hyphae.
E.g., Glomus sp. ,
Gigaspora margarita
(in association with Lotus)
Gigaspora margarita Glomus sp
Phylum Ascomycota (Sac fungi)
• Largest phylum
• Asexual reproduction by ascospores formed in
asci
• Asci are often housed in a fruiting body or
ascocarp
E.g.,
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Black truffle (Tuber melanosporum)
Phylum Basidiomycota (Club fungi)
• Asexually reproduces by basidiospores formed in basidia
• Spores produced on large fruiting bodies known as basidiocarps
• Presence of cellular hyphae
• e.g.,
Agaricus bisporus Lycoperdon perlatum
Key Changes in Hibbett Classification
◻ Reliance on molecular phylogenetics rather
than traditional morphological features
◻ Use of DNA sequence analysis and genetic
data to infer evolutionary relationships, providing
a more accurate classification.
◻ Integration of molecular data in taxonomic
decisions
◻ Emphasis on monophyletic clades—groups that
share a common ancestor
◻ Refinement of Zygomycota
◻ Integration of New Phyla such as
Glomeromycota
Demerits
◻ Complexity and Technical Requirements:
◻ Dependence on Molecular Data
Availability
◻ Reduced Role of Morphological Traits
◻ Constant Need of Revisions
CONCLUSION
• Significance: A dynamic framework reflecting fungal
evolution.
• Applications: Used in genomics, biotechnology, and
ecology.
• Future outlook: Classification will continue to evolve with
new data.
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