Mycota – serie

This volume provides a detailed look at various biochemical and developmental aspects of fungal cell biology, and offers extensive information on model organisms of filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus, and yeasts, such as Saccharomyces, while also highlighting molecular differences between ascomycetes and basidiomycetes.The book’s seven chapters, prepared by experts in the fields of mycology, have been grouped into two closely connected sections: “Fungal Cell Growth” and “Signals and Development”. The first section addresses bio-molecular mechanisms of fungal cell division and polarized cell growth, with a special emphasis on cell-cell connections, cell wall synthesis, and directed protein transport. In turn, the second section describes the intra- and extracellular signals that set off biochemical and conformational changes of cell type during development. Here, the authors focus on the molecular signalling pathways, including their impact on plant-fungusinteractions, referred to as ectomycorrhizal symbiosis.Given its scope, the book offers a valuable guide for all microbiologists, geneticists, cell biologists, biochemists and plant biologists, as well as advanced students of biology, who share an interest in the field of mycology.

This fully revised third edition includes up-to-date topics and developments in the field, which has made tremendous strides since the publication of the second edition in 2004. Many novel techniques based on Next Generation Sequencing have sped up the analysis of fungi and major advances have been made in genome editing, leading to a deeper understanding of the genetics underlying cellular processes as well as their applicability. At the same time, the relevance of fungi is unbroken, both due to the serious threats to human health and welfare posed by fungal pests and pathogens, and to the many benefits that fungal biotechnology can offer for diverse emerging markets and processes that form the basis of the modern bioeconomy. With regard to these advances, the first section of this volume, Genetics, illustrates the basic genetic processes underlying inheritance, cell biology, metabolism and “lifestyles” of fungi. The second section, Biotechnology, addresses theapplied side of fungal genetics, ranging from new tools for synthetic biology to the biotechnological potential of fungi from diverse environments. Gathering chapters written by reputed scientists, the book represents an invaluable reference guide for fungal biologists, geneticists and biotechnologists alike.

This fully revised third edition includes up-to-date topics and developments in the field, which has made tremendous strides since the publication of the second edition in 2004. Many novel techniques based on Next Generation Sequencing have sped up the analysis of fungi and major advances have been made in genome editing, leading to a deeper understanding of the genetics underlying cellular processes as well as their applicability. At the same time, the relevance of fungi is unbroken, both due to the serious threats to human health and welfare posed by fungal pests and pathogens, and to the many benefits that fungal biotechnology can offer for diverse emerging markets and processes that form the basis of the modern bioeconomy. With regard to these advances, the first section of this volume, Genetics, illustrates the basic genetic processes underlying inheritance, cell biology, metabolism and “lifestyles” of fungi. The second section, Biotechnology, addresses theapplied side of fungal genetics, ranging from new tools for synthetic biology to the biotechnological potential of fungi from diverse environments. Gathering chapters written by reputed scientists, the book represents an invaluable reference guide for fungal biologists, geneticists and biotechnologists alike.

This fully revised 3rd edition provides a comprehensive overview of the biology of fungi associated with plants. Since the publication of the 2nd Edition in 2009, tremendous new knowledge has been gained in the field of fungal-plant interactions, which is reflected in the contributions of this book. World-leading scientists in the field provide authoritative insights into fungal-plant interactions covering the following main topics:Mutualistic and pathogenic fungal-plant interactions in natural and agricultural ecosystemsSensing and signalling in fungus-plant interactionsRegulation of fungal gene expression and developmentFungal genomes and evolutionGlobal pandemics caused by fungal pathogens and their implications for food securityThis volume will be of great interest to both specialists and generalists. It is an indispensable resource for researchers, lecturers and students in microbiology, mycology, and plant sciences, as well as agriculture and biotechnology.

This fully revised 3rd edition provides a comprehensive overview of the biology of fungi associated with plants. Since the publication of the 2nd Edition in 2009, tremendous new knowledge has been gained in the field of fungal-plant interactions, which is reflected in the contributions of this book. World-leading scientists in the field provide authoritative insights into fungal-plant interactions covering the following main topics:Mutualistic and pathogenic fungal-plant interactions in natural and agricultural ecosystemsSensing and signalling in fungus-plant interactionsRegulation of fungal gene expression and developmentFungal genomes and evolutionGlobal pandemics caused by fungal pathogens and their implications for food securityThis volume will be of great interest to both specialists and generalists. It is an indispensable resource for researchers, lecturers and students in microbiology, mycology, and plant sciences, as well as agriculture and biotechnology.

Sequence analyses of numerous fungal genomes over the past two decades have provided us with extensive insights into the phylogenetic relationships of fungi and the distribution of genes and their inferred functions, across the fungal kingdom. It is now possible to answer questions about the origin of the fungal kingdom and fungal evolution with an analytical precision that was not possible before.This fully revised and updated 2nd edition of The Mycota, Vol. 14, addresses major aspects of fungal evolution. The book is divided into four sections covering the following main topics:•Evolutionary roots of fungi•Evolution of pathogenic strategies•Evolution of mutualistic interactions•Evolution of metabolism and development in fungiFungi are among the oldest eukaryotic groups in the living world. The aim of this book is to better understand the history and importance of fungi, as well as the characteristics that distinguish them from their sister group, the metazoans, and other fungus-like groups such as the slime molds and oomycetes. Many fungal species are important pathogens of animals and plants and have distinct but parallel pathogenicity strategies. Mutualistic interactions of fungi with other organisms are crucial for their survival in different ecological niches and have a great influence on their evolution and the design of their genomes. Metabolism is one of the most important features of life, and the diversity of metabolic processes is best understood by considering evolution. Studies of fungal metabolism have traditionally focused on metabolites of particular interest, namely mycotoxins, pathogenicity factors, antibiotics, and other compounds with interspecific activity. This volume will be of great interest to mycologists, evolutionary biologists, and fungal geneticists, as well as to lecturers and students of microbiology and mycology.

Sequence analyses of numerous fungal genomes over the past two decades have provided us with extensive insights into the phylogenetic relationships of fungi and the distribution of genes and their inferred functions, across the fungal kingdom. It is now possible to answer questions about the origin of the fungal kingdom and fungal evolution with an analytical precision that was not possible before.This fully revised and updated 2nd edition of The Mycota, Vol. 14, addresses major aspects of fungal evolution. The book is divided into four sections covering the following main topics:•Evolutionary roots of fungi•Evolution of pathogenic strategies•Evolution of mutualistic interactions•Evolution of metabolism and development in fungiFungi are among the oldest eukaryotic groups in the living world. The aim of this book is to better understand the history and importance of fungi, as well as the characteristics that distinguish them from their sister group, the metazoans, and other fungus-like groups such as the slime molds and oomycetes. Many fungal species are important pathogens of animals and plants and have distinct but parallel pathogenicity strategies. Mutualistic interactions of fungi with other organisms are crucial for their survival in different ecological niches and have a great influence on their evolution and the design of their genomes. Metabolism is one of the most important features of life, and the diversity of metabolic processes is best understood by considering evolution. Studies of fungal metabolism have traditionally focused on metabolites of particular interest, namely mycotoxins, pathogenicity factors, antibiotics, and other compounds with interspecific activity. This volume will be of great interest to mycologists, evolutionary biologists, and fungal geneticists, as well as to lecturers and students of microbiology and mycology.

Fungi are associated with a wide variety of other organisms. Ecologist Peter Price has said, “mutualism facilitates adaptive radiation,” and many biologists attribute Earth’s great fungal diversity to such associations. The 3rd edition of The Mycota, Vol. 9: Fungal Associations, has been revised to provide entirely new coverage of fungi and associated organisms in fourteen informative discussions that take advantage of today’s large public databases and modern molecular and data analysis methods. The editors have a keen interest in fungal associations in their own research, and their perspectives from different generations have resulted in an interesting treatment of the subject. Fungal Associations includes updates of classic topics, but also introduces less frequently discussed associations and broader reflections on the nature of fungi and their associates.The volume begins with a look at more than abillion years of fungal evolution and associations through the lens of immunology.Can fungi involved in obligate symbioses be cultivated apart from the host? Genomes help to answer the question. The ultimate intimacy between fungi and certain unrelated organisms has resulted in DNA exchange that can be traced in extant genomes. Fungi and bacteria use volatile compounds to lure participants into interactions. Some viruses modify the phenotype of their fungal hosts and affect host fitness.  Details of interactions between classical examples of fungus—plant symbioses (lichens, several types of mycorrhizae, and toxic endophytes) benefit from advanced microscopic and molecular techniques.Discussions of fungi associated with insects (entomopathogens, a Drosophila model to study entomopathogens), nematode-trappingfungi and their prey, and a group of termite-associated fungi that produce secondary metabolites with potential uses as pharmaceuticals, complete the volume. Fungal Associations is a well-illustrated, thought-provoking resource for specialists and generalists, including researchers, lecturers, and students interested in ecology, evolution, microbiology, and mycology. The volume would be an excellent text for a seminar course for advanced undergraduate or graduate students.

Fungi are associated with a wide variety of other organisms. Ecologist Peter Price has said, “mutualism facilitates adaptive radiation,” and many biologists attribute Earth’s great fungal diversity to such associations. The 3rd edition of The Mycota, Vol. 9: Fungal Associations, has been revised to provide entirely new coverage of fungi and associated organisms in fourteen informative discussions that take advantage of today’s large public databases and modern molecular and data analysis methods. The editors have a keen interest in fungal associations in their own research, and their perspectives from different generations have resulted in an interesting treatment of the subject. Fungal Associations includes updates of classic topics, but also introduces less frequently discussed associations and broader reflections on the nature of fungi and their associates.The volume begins with a look at more than abillion years of fungal evolution and associations through the lens of immunology.Can fungi involved in obligate symbioses be cultivated apart from the host? Genomes help to answer the question. The ultimate intimacy between fungi and certain unrelated organisms has resulted in DNA exchange that can be traced in extant genomes. Fungi and bacteria use volatile compounds to lure participants into interactions. Some viruses modify the phenotype of their fungal hosts and affect host fitness.  Details of interactions between classical examples of fungus—plant symbioses (lichens, several types of mycorrhizae, and toxic endophytes) benefit from advanced microscopic and molecular techniques.Discussions of fungi associated with insects (entomopathogens, a Drosophila model to study entomopathogens), nematode-trappingfungi and their prey, and a group of termite-associated fungi that produce secondary metabolites with potential uses as pharmaceuticals, complete the volume. Fungal Associations is a well-illustrated, thought-provoking resource for specialists and generalists, including researchers, lecturers, and students interested in ecology, evolution, microbiology, and mycology. The volume would be an excellent text for a seminar course for advanced undergraduate or graduate students.

Estimates based on sequencing data suggest that there are around 5.1 million species of fungi. Yet only a small number of fungi are harmful to animals, including humans. In addition to host-pathogen interactions, there are also mutualistic interactions between fungi and animals. Diseases caused by pathogenic fungi range from allergic reactions and superficial infections to invasive mycoses, and have a significant impact on human and animal life. Fungi are also cultivated by animals as a food source in highly developed relationships or are even involved in gut mutualism.This 3rd edition of Volume 6 of The Mycota highlights exemplary interactions between fungal pathogens and their host(s). The book is organized in three parts:Part 1 summarizes our current understanding of important pathogenic fungi such as Candida species, Malassezia yeasts, Aspergillus fumigatus and fungi of the order Mucorales.Part 2 addresses the characterization of the host response towards pathogenic fungi. It focuses on RNA as a mediator of host-pathogen interactions, the human gut mycobiome, the role of the innate immune system in fighting infections, pattern recognition receptors involved in fungal infections, and a summary of established infection models for studying host-fungal-pathogen interactions.Part 3 provides insights into the impact transcriptomics and proteomics technologies have on the research of human-pathogenic fungi.The up-to-date reviews by experts in the field provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of the various research topics in the field of human and animal relationships with fungi and will hopefully help researchers to find inspiration for their own research.

Estimates based on sequencing data suggest that there are around 5.1 million species of fungi. Yet only a small number of fungi are harmful to animals, including humans. In addition to host-pathogen interactions, there are also mutualistic interactions between fungi and animals. Diseases caused by pathogenic fungi range from allergic reactions and superficial infections to invasive mycoses, and have a significant impact on human and animal life. Fungi are also cultivated by animals as a food source in highly developed relationships or are even involved in gut mutualism.This 3rd edition of Volume 6 of The Mycota highlights exemplary interactions between fungal pathogens and their host(s). The book is organized in three parts:Part 1 summarizes our current understanding of important pathogenic fungi such as Candida species, Malassezia yeasts, Aspergillus fumigatus and fungi of the order Mucorales.Part 2 addresses the characterization of the host response towards pathogenic fungi. It focuses on RNA as a mediator of host-pathogen interactions, the human gut mycobiome, the role of the innate immune system in fighting infections, pattern recognition receptors involved in fungal infections, and a summary of established infection models for studying host-fungal-pathogen interactions.Part 3 provides insights into the impact transcriptomics and proteomics technologies have on the research of human-pathogenic fungi.The up-to-date reviews by experts in the field provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of the various research topics in the field of human and animal relationships with fungi and will hopefully help researchers to find inspiration for their own research.

This fully revised 3rd edition of Fungal Genomics highlights the impact of genomics on the field of fungal biology in four sections:Part I Genome Sequences and Beyond: Examines the impact of genome-based information and techniques on research ranging from the discovery of giant transposons to the analysis of less-studied extremotolerant fungi as well as studies of three-dimensional chromatin organization in fungi.Part II Cell and Developmental Biology: Explores advances in high-throughput genetics/genomics and RNA editing in fungi, the role of codons in gene regulation, and the analysis of epigenetic regulation in early-diverging fungi.Part III Biotechnology: Covers the search for plant biomass-converting enzymes in fungal genomes and work with industrially important fungi.Part IV Interactions - Symbioses, Mutualisms, and Pathogens: Explains the genomic analysis of the emerging human pathogen Candida auris as well as genomic signatures in ectomycorrhizal fungi.This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the exciting field of fungal genomics.

This fully revised 3rd edition of Fungal Genomics highlights the impact of genomics on the field of fungal biology in four sections:Part I Genome Sequences and Beyond: Examines the impact of genome-based information and techniques on research ranging from the discovery of giant transposons to the analysis of less-studied extremotolerant fungi as well as studies of three-dimensional chromatin organization in fungi.Part II Cell and Developmental Biology: Explores advances in high-throughput genetics/genomics and RNA editing in fungi, the role of codons in gene regulation, and the analysis of epigenetic regulation in early-diverging fungi.Part III Biotechnology: Covers the search for plant biomass-converting enzymes in fungal genomes and work with industrially important fungi.Part IV Interactions - Symbioses, Mutualisms, and Pathogens: Explains the genomic analysis of the emerging human pathogen Candida auris as well as genomic signatures in ectomycorrhizal fungi.This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the exciting field of fungal genomics.

This volume provides an overview of the current state of the art in agricultural and industrial mycology. It highlights the importance and potential of fungi in these fields.Several topics relate to the critical and ambiguous role of fungi in agriculture, including beneficial and pathogenic fungal-plant interactions and food spoilage caused by mycotoxins. In addition, this volume provides a fascinating insight into ergot alkaloids. The impact of climate change on the occurrence of pathogenic fungi is also discussed.Fungi play an important role in a wide range of industrial processes, including the fermentation of food and beverages and the biotechnological production of metabolites and enzymes. A number of specific applications are discussed in this volume, such as the production of vitamins and enzymes from marine fungi. In addition to mycologists working in industry, agriculture and academia, the book will be of interest to students of biotechnology, microbiology and mycology.Chapter 3 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This volume provides an overview of the current state of the art in agricultural and industrial mycology. It highlights the importance and potential of fungi in these fields.Several topics relate to the critical and ambiguous role of fungi in agriculture, including beneficial and pathogenic fungal-plant interactions and food spoilage caused by mycotoxins. In addition, this volume provides a fascinating insight into ergot alkaloids. The impact of climate change on the occurrence of pathogenic fungi is also discussed.Fungi play an important role in a wide range of industrial processes, including the fermentation of food and beverages and the biotechnological production of metabolites and enzymes. A number of specific applications are discussed in this volume, such as the production of vitamins and enzymes from marine fungi. In addition to mycologists working in industry, agriculture and academia, the book will be of interest to students of biotechnology, microbiology and mycology.Chapter 3 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This book promotes green fungus-based cosmetics that are beneficial for human health and disease and offer a real alternative to chemical cosmetics.The book provides a comprehensive overview of various fungi that can be used to produce cosmetic products. The main topics covered are fungal/mushroom production, extraction of their medicinal products, formulation of cosmetics, and their usage. It highlights the beneficial functions of these cosmetics such as anti-ageing, antioxidant, anti-wrinkle effect, skin whitening, moisturising effect and anti-acne/dandruff effect. In addition to the various methods covered in each chapter, the book also contains an extensive bibliography listing the current literature in the field.Therefore, it is a valuable resource for researchers and entrepreneurs in the cosmetics industry and postgraduate students in cosmetic science. The book also provides amateurs in the personal care industry with limited experience in the field with knowledge of various methods to produce safe and healthy cosmetics.

Ten years after the previous edition of THE MYCOTA, Volume 1, we have generated a new edition! The fourth edition provides an updated overview of fungal growth, differentiation, and reproduction, emphasizing current breakthroughs in molecular, genetic, and cellular mechanisms. As in previous editions, the chapters are authored by leading scientists and are organized to reflect the dynamic continuum of fungal development from vegetative to reproductive processes.The first section explores core vegetative processes, including hyphal tip growth, septation, hyphal fusion, senescence, and the actin cytoskeleton, and broadens its scope with new insights into yeast colony differentiation. Decisions on fungal development are covered in a variety of chapters covering the STRIPAK complex, regulation by light or secondary metabolites and the intriguing behavior of predator yeasts. The subsequent section explores signaling pathways governing fungal development, featuring oxylipin-mediated communication and pheromone action across early-diverging fungal groups. Volume 1 further includes several chapters on sexual and asexual development in ascomycetes and basidiomycetes with dedicated chapters on Aspergillus, Trichoderma and Verticillium.This fourth edition once again captures the breadth and diversity of fungal life and provides reference for understanding fungal morphogenesis, differentiation and sexual development. We hope that students, researchers, and professionals alike will find this book both an inspiring introduction and a valuable reference to the fascinating world of fungal biology.

This new edition provides a comprehensive look at themolecular genetics and biochemical basis of fungal biology, covering importantmodel organisms such as Aspergilli while also integrating advances made with zygomycetes and basidiomycetes. This book groups a total of 15 chapters authored by expert scholars in theirrespective fields into four sections. Five chapters cover various aspects ofgene expression regulation. These range from regulation in organismalinteractions between parasitic fungi and their host plant, heavy metal stressand global control of natural product genes to conidiation and regulationthrough RNA interference. Two chapters are dedicated to signal transduction,highlighting MAP-kinase-dependent signaling and heterotrimeric G-proteins.Fungal carbohydrates are the subject of the third section, which addresses bothpolymeric cell wall carbohydrates and trehalose as an important, low molecularweight carbohydrate. The fourth section emphasizes the metabolism of majorelements (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur) and critical cellular pathways for primaryand secondary products.

This volumeprovides insights into current research on fungal populations, communities andtheir interactions with other organisms. It focuses on fungal responses to thephysical environment; interactions with bacteria, other fungi, invertebratesand plants; the role of fungi in ecosystem processes such as decomposition andnutrient cycling; and aspects of biogeography and conservation.Since thepublication of the second edition of Volume IV in 2007, the massive use of“omics” methods has revolutionized our understanding of fungal lifestyles.Highlighting these advances, the third edition has been completely updated andrevised. Several chapters deal with various applications of genomics andtranscriptomics in biological pest control, as well as interactions with otherliving systems. This is an invaluable source of information both for scientistswho wish to update their knowledge of current advances and for graduatestudents interested in obtaining a comprehensive introduction to this field ofresearch.

In the last few decades, DNA-based tools for the investigation of fungal taxonomy, signal transduction and regulation, differentiation processes and biosynthetic potential have accelerated advances in our understanding of the Mycota. This completely updated and revised second edition presents a selection of exciting issues involving basic and applied aspects of fungal physiology and genetics. In 14 chapters, respected experts provide an overview of traditional, topical and future aspects of basic fungal principles and potential applications in biotechnology. The contributions will bring scientists up-to-date on the latest developments, and help students familiarize themselves with the different topics.

This new edition offersdetailed overviews coveringa wide area of fungal growth and reproduction on the mechanistic and molecularlevel. It includes 18 chapters by eminent scientists in the field and is – likethe previous edition – divided into the three sections: Vegetative Processes and Growth, Signals in Growth and Development, and Reproductive Processes. Major topics ofthe first section include dynamic intracellular processes, apical growth,hyphal fusion, and aging. The second section analyses autoregulatory signals,pheromone action, and photomorphogenesis and gravitropism abiotic signals. Thethird section reveals details of asexual and sexual development in variousfungal model systems, culminating in fruit body formation in basidiomycetes,which is a sector of growing economic potential.Since the publication of the first edition of this volume in 1994 and thesecond edition in 2006, the field of fungal biology has continued to expand thanksto improvements in omics technologies and the application of genetic tools toan increasing variety of fungal models. Several additional chapters by a newgeneration of fungal biologists discuss this diversity and guarantee livelyreading.

This new edition provides a comprehensive look at themolecular genetics and biochemical basis of fungal biology, covering importantmodel organisms such as Aspergilli while also integrating advances made with zygomycetes and basidiomycetes. This book groups a total of 15 chapters authored by expert scholars in theirrespective fields into four sections. Five chapters cover various aspects ofgene expression regulation. These range from regulation in organismalinteractions between parasitic fungi and their host plant, heavy metal stressand global control of natural product genes to conidiation and regulationthrough RNA interference. Two chapters are dedicated to signal transduction,highlighting MAP-kinase-dependent signaling and heterotrimeric G-proteins.Fungal carbohydrates are the subject of the third section, which addresses bothpolymeric cell wall carbohydrates and trehalose as an important, low molecularweight carbohydrate. The fourth section emphasizes the metabolism of majorelements (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur) and critical cellular pathways for primaryand secondary products.

In the last few decades, DNA-based tools for the investigation of fungal taxonomy, signal transduction and regulation, differentiation processes and biosynthetic potential have accelerated advances in our understanding of the Mycota. This completely updated and revised second edition presents a selection of exciting issues involving basic and applied aspects of fungal physiology and genetics. In 14 chapters, respected experts provide an overview of traditional, topical and future aspects of basic fungal principles and potential applications in biotechnology. The contributions will bring scientists up-to-date on the latest developments, and help students familiarize themselves with the different topics.

Since the publication of the first edition of The Mycota Vol. V -- Plant Relationships in 1997, tremendous advances in fungal molecular biology and biochemistry have taken place; and both light and electron microscopical techniques have improved considerably. These new insights led to a better understanding of the relationships between fungi and plants; and a completely revised new edition of Plant Relationships could be produced, providing an up-to-date overview on mutualistic and pathogenic interactions. In 18 chapters internationally acknowledged authors present reviews on fungal lifestyles, mechanisms of their interactions with their host plants, signal perception and transduction, and plant defense responses directed against attack by fungal pathogens. Highlighting the recent developments in fungus--plant interactions, this volume is indispensable for researchers, lecturers and students in microbiology, mycology and plant sciences, including plant pathology.

This volume gives a survey of the state of the art in the traditional fields of industrial mycology as well as of selected novel applications of fungi. The first section deals with the use of fungi in the production and processing of bread, cheese, beer and wine, traditional Asian fermentation products and edible mushrooms. The second section is devoted to the production of fungal metabolites and enzymes representing value-added products. In addition to antibiotics, alkaloids organic acids, vitamins and industrial enzymes, which have successfully been in use for decades, it is also dedicated to fungal metabolites, such as insecticidal and nematicidal compounds, immunosurppressants and flavors with promising biotechnological potential. In the next section, the recent developments in fungal biotransformation of small molecules, the bioconversion of lignocelluloses as well as the use of fungi in metal recovery are presented. The final part introduces some innovative new trends in the field of applied mycology: the preparation of fungal bioherbicides, recent genomic approaches for the identification of biopolymer degrading enzymes, current developments in using oxidative enzymes from fungi as well as new attempts to transfer fungal remediation technologies into practice.

This volume covers the high relevance of fungi for agriculture. It is a completely updated and revised second edition with fourteen excellent chapters by leading scientists in their fields and offers a comprehensive review of the latest achievements and developments. Topics include: Food and fodder; fungal secondary metabolites and detoxification; biology, disease control and management; symbiontic fungi and mycorrhiza; and phytopathogenicity.

Whereas plant and insect infections are commonly caused by fungi, only a small minority of the vast diversity of fungal species is pathogenic to humans. Despite this, fungal infections cause considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. This volume is dedicated to the biology, clinical presentation and management of invasive fungal infections. Major pathogenic fungi are introduced by world-leading experts and the basic principles of fungal virulence are reviewed in the light of new results and experimental technologies that offer unprecedented insights into invasive infections caused by Aspergillus, Candida, Cryptococcus, Pneumocystis and Mucorales. In parallel, the clinical presentation of invasive fungal infections and current approaches to their diagnosis and treatment are summarized to provide an overview of human pathogenic fungi, linking pathogen biology to the clinical presentation of disease.

This volume includes treatments of systematics and related topics for both fungi and fungus-like organisms in four eukaryotic supergroups, as well as specialized chapters on nomenclature, techniques and evolution. These organisms are of great interest to mycologists, plant pathologists and others, including those interested in the animal parasitic Microsporidia. Our knowledge of the systematics and evolution of fungi has made great strides since the first edition of this volume, largely driven by molecular phylogenetic analyses. Consensus among mycologists has led to a stable systematic treatment that has since become widely adopted and is incorporated into this second edition, along with a great deal of new information on evolution and ecology. The systematic chapters cover occurrence, distribution, economic importance, morphology and ultrastructure, development of taxonomic theory, classification and maintenance and culture. Other chapters deal with nomenclatural changes necessitated by revisions of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants, including the elimination of separate names for asexual states, as well as methods for preservation of cultures and specimens, character evolution and methods for ultrastructural study, the fungal fossil record and the impact of whole genomes on fungal studies.