# Pythiaceae

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**Pythiaceae** is a [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) of [oomycetes](/source/Oomycete). The family includes serious plant and animal [pathogens](/source/Pathogen) in the genus *[Pythium](/source/Pythium)*. The family was circumscribed by German mycologist [Joseph Schröter](/source/Joseph_Schr%C3%B6ter) in 1893.

## Lifecycle

- Live on land ([terrestrial](/source/Terrestrial_ecoregion)), and in water ([aquatic](/source/Aquatic_ecosystem)), or a combination of the two (amphibious).
- Most are deadly [parasites](/source/Parasite), causing [root rot](/source/Root_rot) and [damping off](/source/Damping_off) on plants and [pythiosis](/source/Pythiosis) on animals.
- The [diploid](/source/Diploid) (2N) life stage predominates, with a short [haplophase](/source/Haplophase) initiated during [sexual reproduction](/source/Sexual_reproduction) before the fusion of the [gametes](/source/Gamete). Most species are [homothallic](/source/Homothallism).

## Reproduction

The [sporangia](/source/Sporangia) may germinate via a [germ tube](/source/Germ_tube) or by release of motile [zoospores](/source/Zoospore), depending on the species and the environmental conditions.

## Economic importance

Some *[Pythium](/source/Pythium)* species cause "[damping off](/source/Damping_off)" diseases in young plants (seedlings).

## References

- C.J. Alexopolous, Charles W. Mims, M. Blackwell et al., *Introductory Mycology, 4th ed.* (John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken NJ, 2004) ISBN 0-471-52229-5

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pythiaceae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythiaceae) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythiaceae?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.