Fungi of the
order Chytridiales, like other members of its
division, may either have a monocentric
thallus or a polycentric rhizomycelium. When the
ribosomal genes of members classified in this order were first examined using
molecular techniques, it was discovered that the order contained some species that were not related. With the discovery, culture and characterization of
Chytridium olla, the
type species of this order, the limits of the Chytridiales were established. The Chytridiales is now
monophyletic and species such as
Polychytrium aggregatum,
Chytriomyces angularis and
Cladochytrium replicatum have been transferred to other orders.