Bacteria Bacteria Bacteria (; common noun bacteria, singular bacterium) are a type of biological cell. They constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a number of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals. Bacteria were among the first life forms to appear on Earth, and are present in most of its habitats. Bacteria inhabit soil, water, acidic hot springs, radioactive waste, and the deep portions of Earth's crust. Bacteria also live in symbiotic and parasitic relationships with plants and animals. Most bacteria have not been characterised, and only about half of the
Clavarioid fungi on wood or on decaying herbaceous stems and fallen leaves. Some species, particularly in the genera "Clavulina" and "Ramaria", are known to be ectomycorrhizal (forming a beneficial association with the roots of living trees). Species in the genera "Ertzia", "Multiclavula", "Lepidostroma", and "Sulzbacheromyces" are lichenized and grow in association with algae. Clavarioid fungi have a worldwide distribution, though some genera—such as "Aphelaria" and "Lachnocladium"—are principally tropical. They are one of the most common of the four fungi groupings. Clavarioid fungi The clavarioid fungi are a group of fungi in the "Basidiomycota" typically having erect, simple or branched basidiocarps (fruit bodies)