Zygomycota, or zygote fungi, is a
phylum of
fungi. The name comes from zygosporangia, where resistant spherical
spores are formed during
sexual reproduction. Approximately 1050 species are known. They are mostly terrestrial in habitat, living in soil or on decaying plant or animal material. Some are parasites of plants, insects, and small animals, while others form symbiotic relationships with plants. Zygomycete
hyphae may be
coenocytic, forming septa only where
gametes are formed or to wall off dead hyphae.