Summary:
This is included as an example of Subphylum Mucoromycotina of Phylum Zygomycota, one of the phyla of true fungi. The principal characteristic that distinguishes Class Zygomycetes is the production by most species of a thick-walled resting spore called a zygospore. The zygospore develops within a zygosporangium that is formed after fusion of structures containing sex cells (gametangia containing gametes). (Alexopoulos et al. 1996). During wet periods, the fruitbodies of gilled Mycena species are attacked by Spinellus fusiger, which produces tall slender fruiting stalks radiating from the cap. Each stalk ends in a tiny spherical spore ball, giving it a pinhead appearance. Infected caps have a striking hairy appearance. (Barron 1999).

Notes:
widespread, including BC, WA, CA