Rhizophydiales

Rhizophydiales are an important group of chytrid fungi. They are found in soil as well as marine and fresh water habitats where they function as parasites and decomposers.

==Role in the environment== thumb|Rhizophydium keratinophilum zoosporangium with characteristic spines growing on human hair. Rhizophydiales are parasites of a range of organisms, including invertebrates, other chytrids and algae, and they may have a role in natural control of aquatic populations, especially phytoplankton. One member, Rhizophydium graminis, is a parasite of wheat roots, but causes no extensive damage to the plant. The only documented cases of a chytrid parasitizing vertebrates are Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, members of this order. They are highly destructive pathogens of frogs and salamanders respectively.