What is the Difference Between Mucor and Rhizopus?

Mucor and Rhizopus are two types of filamentous fungi belonging to the Kingdom Fungi and the phylum Zygomycota. They have a varied distribution across many environments and are used in various industries. However, there are some key differences between Mucor and Rhizopus:

1. Structural Features: Mucor does not have rhizoids and stolons, while Rhizopus has both rhizoids and stolons.
2. Sporangiophore: Both fungi produce sporangiophores, but Mucor has branched sporangiophores, while Rhizopus has unbranched sporangiophores.
3. Sporangia Appearance: Rhizopus sporangia appear dry, while Mucor sporangia are wet or sticky due to a viscous liquid film.
4. Sporangia Arrangement: In Mucor, the sporangia are usually lined up in parallel rows or stands, while Rhizopus sporangia appear randomly and are not found in any particular order or arrangement.

These differences can be used to distinguish between Mucor and Rhizopus when examining the fungal growth with a hand lens.

Comparative Table: Mucor vs Rhizopus

Mucor and Rhizopus are two fungi belonging to the same phylum (Zygomycota) and kingdom (Fungi). They are both saprophytic molds that can cause mucormycosis (zygomycosis, phycomycosis) in immunocompromised individuals. However, there are some key differences between them:

Mucor does not have rhizoids and stolons, while Rhizopus has both rhizoids and stolons. Mucor appears as white to grey colonies, whereas Rhizopus forms black-colored colonies. Additionally, Mucor has branched sporangiophores, while Rhizopus has unbranched sporangiophores. These differences in structure and appearance can be used to differentiate between Mucor and Rhizopus.