The Dictionary of the Fungi has been published continuously by CABI from it's outset in 1943 to the latest (tenth) edition in 2008. The primary feature of the Dictionary is an authoritative consensus classification of the fungi, that has been widely accepted as an enabling and informing framework for research into pure and applied mycology. Fungal Families of the World has been conceived as an illustrative and more approachable companion to the Dictionary. Second it provides further substantial information on the 536 currently accepted families of Fungi, with more detailed descriptions and notes on ecology, economic uses, and the like. Third (and perhaps most importantly), it depicts the extraordinary range of morphological structures found in fungi, celebrating myco-diversity and perhaps stimulating interest in mycology by those individuals outside the inner circle of fungal systematists. The taxonomic framework for Fungal Families of the World is based upon that of the ninth edition of Dictionary but has been substantially updated to confirm with the findings of two major US-led research projects on fungal systematics, popularly referred to as Deep Hydra and AFTOL (Assembling the Fungal Tree of Life). The book contains images for over 400 families of the Fung, representing substantially wider fungal diversity than has been achieved before in a single publication. Where practical illustration of both macroscopic and microscopic features have been included. Fungal Families of the World will be of great value to students and researchers in biology, ecology and conservation, to mycologists, agriculturalists and foresters and serves as an informative companion to the Dictionary of the Fungi.

"This book is based on a symposium held in Bad Windsheim, Germany, in Aug. 1990. The 30 chapters are grouped into 5 sections. Part I concerns morphological taxonomy of the ophiostomatoid fungi, including their anamorphs. In Part II, nonmorphological taxonomic approaches are considered, including genetic, biochemical, developmental and molecular characters. In Part III, the pathological aspects are introduced, beginning with considerations of saprobic growth and progressing through tree diseases to human diseases. Part IV includes reviews of a variety of insect vector systems and host responses to both the insects and the fungi. A few chapters, including information on methods for handling ophiostomatoid fungi, a key for their identification and a list of described species, were not presented at the symposium."--pub. desc.