|
|
Rossman AY, Ohwada K. 1996. The evolution of fungal diversity. Past, present, and future. In: Microbial diversity in time and space; Colwell RR, Simidu U (eds). pp 33-39, Plenum Press, New York, USA. Fungal diversity is reflected in the diversity of substrates available for fungal exploitation throughout evolutionary history and into the present and future. The evolutionary origin of fungi is reviewed. The estimated number of fungal species at present is discussed together with fungal diversity in a known universe. The diversity of fungi and their ability to exploit nutrients is considered with regard to tropical rain forest litter and mycorrhizal fungi, respectively. The future of fungi is discussed in relation to the need to preserve fungi essential for the continuation of future generations.
|