Abstract: The present strains and methods of the disclosure relate to genetic modifications in filamentous fungi that give rise to variant strains having altered phenotypes, altered morphologies, altered growth characteristics, and the like. More specifically, as presented and described herein, such variant strains of filamentous fungi comprising reduced viscosity phenotypes are well-suited for growth in submerged cultures (e.g., for the large-scale production of enzymes and other proteins or metabolites for commercial applications).