1st Edition

Clavicipitalean Fungi Evolutionary Biology, Chemistry, Biocontrol And Cultural Impacts

    This reference analyzes the ecology, evolution, genetics, physiology, and taxonomy of this diverse group of fungi for identification of common biological, biochemical, and genetic features and discovery of potential medical and agricultural applications. It traces and reconstruct the evolution of various host-endoparasite systems and studies recent taxonomic research and DNA sequence analyses on plant-infecting clavicipitaleans. Providing a holistic view of the entire clavicipitalean family, the book compares morphologic, geographic, and host variations among various clavicipitalean populations and examines key discoveries and compounds obtained in clavicipitalean studies.

    Contributors, 1. Historical Perspectives: Human Interactions with Clavicipitalean Fungi, Taxonomy and Diversity, Ecology and Evolution, Molecular Genetics and Physiology, Impacts and Applications, Index

    Biography

    James F. White jr. is Professor of Plant Biology and Pathology at Cook College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Dr. White received the B.S. degree in botany and the M.S. degree in mycology and plant pathology from Auburn University, Alabama, and the Ph.D. degree in mycology and botany from the University of Texas, Austin. Charles W. Bacon is the Supervisory Microbiologist and Research Leader of the Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit at the R. B. Russell Agricultural Researc Center, US Department of Agriculture, Athens, Georgia. He received the B.S. degree in biology and chemistry from Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia, and the Ph.D. degree in botany from the University of Michagan, Ann Arbor. Nigel L. Hywel-Jones is Head of Mycology, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Bangkok, Thailand. Joseph W. Spatafora is Associate Professor and Curator of Fungi, Oregon State University, Corvallis. He received the Ph.D. (1992) degree from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.