Final answer:
The type of fungi with a cupped structure is called Ascomycota or cup fungi, characterized by their cup-shaped fruiting bodies known as ascocarps, essential for reproduction and spread of spores.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of fungi featuring a cupped structure is known as Ascomycota or cup fungi. These fungi are characterized by their distinctive cup-shaped fruiting bodies called ascocarps. As part of their reproductive lifecycle, these fungi produce specialized hyphal branches for sexual reproduction, forming small cells called conidia that act as propagules. Unlike club fungi, cup fungi have septate hyphae with cross walls, and their hyphae can develop into a diverse array of fruiting bodies, some resembling the familiar mushroom shape, while others form compact mycelia and various other structures during reproduction.
Fruiting bodies, or sporocarps, are crucial for fungi as they are the spore-producing structures during the sexual phase of their lifecycle. For example, the Armillaria fungus manifests its fruiting bodies when reproducing, but its extensive mycelial network is typically hidden underground. Thus, the cupped structure seen in this type of fungus is integral to its reproductive success and dissemination in the environment.