The available literature on freshwater fungi is limited. Over the subsequent years a considerable volume of scientific papers have appeared scattered throughout numerous journals. There is therefore no recent synthesis of the subject and this is the objective of the proposed book. Freshwater habitats are rich in fungi with some 3,000 described species, most of papers focussing on their identification, substrata they grow on and world distribution. However, these fungi play an important role in the freshwater ecosystem, and are primarily involved in the breakdown of leaf litter contributing food for detritus feeders. Our book will bring together a wide range of acclaimed mycologists to review recent developments on the biology and ecology of freshwater fungi, particularly their molecular phylogeny, biodiversity, causative diseases of freshwater amphibians, fishes and invertebrate animals, decomposition of leaf litter, stream pollution and their potential role in bioremediation.

Freshwater fungi are diverse in numbers, taxonomic groups and ecological roles, but they have been a relatively neglected group until the last decade. This book brings together information on freshwater fungi, reviewing topics and providing informative comprehensive text on practical approaches for their study. The book presents chapters authored by leading experts on topics including; isolation and identification, plant and animal pathogens, teleomorph-anamorph connections, ecology, microscope techniques, measuring fungal activity, effects of pollution, interactions with stream invertebrates, and dispersal. This book should be an essential part of any microbiologists library and, serve as a catalyst for further development of our understanding of freshwater mycology in the 21st Century.

Aquatic hyphomycetes were discovered 50 years ago by C.T. Ingold. They remained a relatively obscure group until their role as intermediaries between deciduous leaves and stream invertebrates was established some 20 years ago. This book, for the first time, provides a comprehensive summary and critical evaluation of the biology and ecology of these organisms. Aspecial effort was made to evaluate the potential and actual insight that have been or will be derived from work in related disciplines such as the ecology of other fungal groups, stream ecology, or population ecology. The topics treated include the basic life history of the fungi and the potential role of wood, a discussion of how the fungi have adjusted to life in running water, their interactions with invertebrates, the attachment and germination of their spores, what is known about sexual reproduction, how water chemistry may influence their distribution and activity, how they react to human degradation of their environment, and a summary of the research done on the Indian subcontinent. The volume is of special interest to mycologists and stream ecologists and should facilitate the entry of new workers into this exciting area.

This unique textbook takes a broad look at the rapidly expanding field of freshwater microbiology. Concentrating on the interactions between viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi and micro-invertebrates, the book gives a wide biological appeal. Alongside conventional aspects such as phytoplankton characterisation, seasonal changes and nutrient cycles, the title focuses on the dynamic and applied aspects that are not covered within the current textbooks in the field. Complete coverage of all fresh water biota from viruses to invertebrates Unique focus on microbial interactions including coverage of biofilms, important communities on all exposed rivers and lakes. New information on molecular and microscopical techniques including a study of gene exchange between bacteria in the freshwater environment. Unique emphasis on the applied aspects of freshwater microbiology with particular emphasis on biodegradation and the causes and remediation of eutrophication and algal blooms.

Fungi play vital roles in all ecosystems, as decomposers, symbionts of animals and plants and as parasites. Thus their ecology is of great interest. It has been estimated that there may be as many as 1. 5 million species of fungi, many of which are still undescribed. These interact in various ways with their hosts, with their substrates, with their competitors (including other fungi) and with abiotic variables of their environment. They show great variation in morphology, reproduction, life cycles and modes of dispersal. They grow in almost every conceivable habitat where organic carbon is available: on rock surfaces, in soil, the sea and in fresh water, at extremes of high and low temperature, on dry substrata and in concen trated solutions. Fungal ecology is therefore an enormous subject and its literature is voluminous. In view of this we have had to be selective in the material we have included in this book. We have chosen to concentrate on subjects in which we have some personal experience through either research or teaching. We preferred to tackle a few subjects in depth instead of attempting to cover a wider range of topics superficially. We are conscious of the extensive gaps in coverage: for example on the ecology of lichens, of fungal plant pathogens and of the complex interactions between fungi and animals. It is some justification that book-length treatments of these subjects are available elsewhere.

This book promotes further understanding of the contribution that fungi make to the biogeochemical cycling of elements, the chemical and biological mechanisms involved, and their environmental and biotechnological significance.

This reference book includes 24 chapters written by a group of experts in the different fields of microfungi and cover a broad range of topics on microfungi. It provides the most updated information on the latest development in systematics and taxonomy of microfungi, new techniques which were developed in the last ten years and their application in microfungal research. After the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Melbourne Code) was adopted by the Eighteenth International Botanical Congress Melbourne, Australia, July 2011, it has had a profound impact on mycology and its research. Fungal nomenclature changes and its significance to fungal taxonomy and naming of microfungi in the future is discussed in detail. Since dual names system for fungi developing both sexual and asexual states, and fungi developing only asexual state is no longer available, the first five chapters will clarify some confusion and provides perspective views on the direction for future research. The next nine chapters cover microfungi and their ecological roles or functions in the different habitats (air, indoor, aquatic, marine, plants, soils, etc). The remaining 13 chapters cover the relationship of microfungi and humans (good and bad) and usage or application microfungi in different industries, such as food, agriculture, forestry, green technology, pharmaceutics, and medicine, as well as in our daily life. The book bridges the gap between basic mycological research and applied mycology and provide readers a unique set of information and knowledge of microfungi generated from multiple angles in different fields of mycology.

Biodiversity of Fungi is essential for anyone collecting and/or monitoring any fungi. Fascinating and beautiful, fungi are vital components of nearly all ecosystems and impact human health and our economy in a myriad of ways. Standardized methods for documenting diversity and distribution have been lacking. A wealth of information, especially regrading sampling protocols, compiled by an international team of fungal biologists, make Biodiversity of Fungi an incredible and fundamental resource for the study of organismal biodiversity. Chapters cover everything from what is a fungus, to maintaining and organizing a permanent study collection with associated databases; from protocols for sampling slime molds to insect associated fungi; from fungi growing on and in animals and plants to mushrooms and truffles. The chapters are arranged both ecologically and by sampling method rather than by taxonomic group for ease of use. The information presented here is intended for everyone interested in fungi, anyone who needs tools to study them in nature including naturalists, land managers, ecologists, mycologists, and even citizen scientists and sophiscated amateurs. - Covers all groups of fungi - from molds to mushrooms, even slime molds - Describes sampling protocols for many groups of fungi - Arranged by sampling method and ecology to coincide with users needs - Beautifully illustrated to document the range of fungi treated and techniques discussed - Natural history data are provided for each group of fungi to enable users to modify suggested protocols to meet their needs

This book offers an ecosystem-oriented overview of the diversity, ecological role, and biotechnological applications of marine fungi as well as an in-depth introduction to the marine environment, fungal classification, and ecological principles. It also presents the latest research findings on coastal marine and oceanic ecosystems, such as mangrove, seagrass, salt marsh, algal, coral reef and benthic ecosystems. Focusing on the diversity of fungi as well as their role as symbionts, parasites and saprotrophs, the book also discusses the physiology and biotechnological applications of fungi and highlights topics of future interest. Intended for students and researchers in marine biology and microbiology, it includes detailed descriptions, illustrations, figures, tables, and exhaustive literature citations. A detailed chapter on methods used to study marine fungi, their classification and ecological principles is of particular interest to newcomers in the field.