Straminipilous Fungi presents a critical comparative review of the morphology and ultrastructure, morphogenesis, cytology, molecular biology and evolution of the biflagellate fungi. These organisms encompass the fungi formerly called oomycetes; taxonomically related heterotrophs studied by mycologists; plasmodiophorids and other heterotrophs. Appropriate comparisons are made with chromophyte algae, marine heterotrophs and chytridiaceous fungi. Little-known taxa which have been referred to the various orders of flagellate fungi are also listed together with citations. A new hierarchical classification is presented which is supported by systematic accounts and synoptic keys. Dichotomous keys based on habitat and habit are given to all known species of lagenidiaceous fungi, labyrinthulids and plasmodiophorids. A unique `one stop' reference resource for plant pathologists is provided by the binominal lists, including host-related lists for the downy mildews. The book, including ca 4000 references, is a major text for post-graduate and research workers, particularly freshwater and marine biologists, soil ecologists and plant pathologists.

This 10th edition, of the acclaimed reference work, has more than 21,000 entries, and provides the most complete listing available of generic names of fungi, their families and orders, their attributes and descriptive terms. For each genus, the authority, the date of publication, status, systematic position, number of accepted species, distribution, and key references are given. Diagnoses of families and details of orders and higher categories are included for all groups of fungi. In addition, there are biographic notes, information on well-known metabolites and mycotoxins, and concise accounts of almost all pure and applied aspects of the subject (including citations of important literature). Co-published by: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

This new edition of the universally acclaimed and widely-used textbook on fungal biology has been completely re-written, drawing directly on the authors' research and teaching experience. The text takes account of the rapid and exciting progress that has been made in the taxonomy, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, pathology and ecology of the fungi. Features of taxonomic relevance are integrated with natural functions, including their relevance to human affairs. Special emphasis is placed on the biology and control of human and plant pathogens, providing a vital link between fundamental and applied mycology. The book is richly illustrated throughout with specially prepared drawings and photographs, based on living material. Illustrated life-cycles are provided, and technical terms are clearly explained. Extensive reference is made to recent literature and developments, and the emphasis throughout is on whole-organism biology from an integrated, multidisciplinary perspective.

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.

The diversity, ecological role and biotechnological applications of marine fungi have been addressed in numerous scientific publications in the last few years. This enormous spurt of information has led to a dire need among students and professionals alike for a source, which contains comprehensive reviews of various aspects of marine fungi. This book addresses this need, especially since it is written by reputed marine mycologists. The latest information on topics including molecular taxonomy and phylogeny, ecology of fungi in different marine habitats such as deep sea, corals, dead- sea, fungi in extreme marine environments and their biotechnological applications is reviewed. The book presents a comprehensive source of information and analysis aimed at marine fungi for researchers, teachers and students of marine mycology.

Marine fungi play a major role in marine and mangrove ecosystems. Understanding how higher fungi with their spectrum of cellulolytic and ligninolytic enzymes degrade wood tissue, while labyrinthuloids and thraustochytrids further contribute to the dissolved organic matter entering the open ocean is essential to marine ecology. This work provides an overview of marine fungi including morphology and ultrastructure, phylogeny, biogeography and biodiversity. Increasingly, biotechnology is also turning to these organisms to develop new bioactive compounds and to address problems such as decomposition of materials in the ocean and bioremediation of oil spills. These potential applications of marine fungi are also treated. In the light of massive marine oil spills in the past years, the importance of understanding marine fungi and their role in the food chain cannot be underestimated.

Historically, fungi included diverse organisms. In view of the recent developments in their ultra structure, biochemistry and molecular biology, the book provides a fresh look at the status of fungi in the biological world. Unlike traditional textbooks, taxonomic groups of fungi and related organisms studied by mycologists have been reshuffled and assigned positions according to modern scheme of classification. In the light of the advent of genetic manipulation and allied technology, the role of fungi in commercial production of unusual drugs, as hormones and some proteins, is examined. Some recently developed fungal products useful in agriculture, forestry and food industry are also briefly described.

P. T. N. SPENCER-PHILLIPS Co-ordinator, Downy Mildew Working Group of the International Society for Plant Pathology University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK Email: [email protected] It is a very great privilege to write the preface to the first specialist book on downy mildews since the major work edited by D. M. Spencer in 1981. The idea for the present publication arose from the Downy Mildew Workshop at the International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP) held in Edinburgh in August 1998. Our intention was to invite reviews on selected aspects of downy mildew biology from international authorities, and link these to a series of related short contributions reporting new data. No attempt has been made to cover the breadth of downy mildew research, but we hope that further topics will be included in future volumes, so that this becomes the first of a series following the five year ICPP cycle.

This book develops a new interpretation of Aristotle's Metaphysics. By exploring the significance of the long ignored distinction between being with regard to categories and being with regard to potentiality and actuality, the author presents that Aristotle's science of being has two distinct aspects: an investigation of the basic constituents of reality in terms of categories, predication, and definition, and an investigation which deals with change, process, and order of the world.