Pythiaceae

Pythiaceae is family of water moulds. The family includes plant pathogenic fungus-like organisms in the genus Phytophthora; as well as serious plant and animal pathogens in the genus Pythium.

Lifecycle

 * Live on land (terrestrial), and in water (aquatic), and a combination of the two, (amphibious)


 * Live as deadly parasites, causing some serious plant and animal diseases when terrestrial.


 * The diploid (2N) life stage predominates, with a short haplophase initiated during sexual reproduction as well as asexual reproduction (homothallism predominates in the Family) to fuse gametes.

Reproduction

 * The sporangia may germinate via a germ tube or by release of motile zoospores, depending on the species and the environmental conditions.

Economic Importance

 * Some Pythium species cause "damping-off" diseases in young plants (seedlings).