About the Book

Fungi

The Kingdom Fungi is an ensemble of diverse species. Current evidence suggests that all fungal species are not derived from a single common ancestor, consequently the Fungi are polyphyletic (multiple genealogies or lineages). The structures of fungi are microscopic and not visible to the naked eye. Some are unicellular like yeast, but most string their cells together in long, thread-like strands called hypha. Most fungi produce an extensive system of hyphae, which may be visible when growing thickly in a mass called mycelium (commonly referred to as mould). Mycelium can be of any size from tiny clusters to massive acre wide systems, which effectively form the feeding and growing body of the fungus. Fungi that are pathogens are usually plant pathogenic Fungi. There are comparatively few species that are pathogenic to animals, especially mammals. According to Hawksworth (1992), there are approximate a little 1.5 million described species of fungi. The book will be indispensable for students of botany, microbiology, plant pathology and medical mycology. CONTENTS : (1)Structure and Function of Fungi (2)Biological Habitats of Fungi (3)The Pathogenic Fungi (4)Usable Variability of Fungi (5)Mycology (6)Fungus (7)Fungal Interactions.