n. Any of various fungi that reproduce only asexually, by means of conidia, or whose sexual stage has not yet been discovered. The deuteromycetes are no longer recognized as a valid taxonomic group. Also called imperfect fungus. [DEUTERO- (from that fact that the deuteromycetes were originally considered an inferior or secondary group because they do not reproduce sexually) + -MYCETE.] deu′ter·o·my·cetous adj. |
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