Fungi anamorphici in Australasia

Abstract

Fungi are everywhere but mycologists are not and the fungi anamorphici, which includes hyphomycetes and coelomycetes, is an under-studied group in Australasia. It is the second largest group of fungi and its members play an important role in nutrient cycling. Plant pathogenic species are the best-documented and fungi anamorphici feature prominently in lists of plant diseases for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. The few resident mycologists specialising in taxonomy and systematics of fungi anamorphici have made major advances in the study of plant pathogens (e.g. Bipolaris, Fusarium) and those of industrial importance (e.g. Penicillium). Visiting mycologists who have made significant collections of Australasian fungi anamorphici include B. C. Sutton in Australia, S. J. Hughes in New Zealand and T. Matsushima in Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. A census of fungi anamorphici is being prepared forFungi of Australia and a database of all species recorded from New Zealand is being compiled. Australasian studies of fungi anamorphici in freshwater and marine environments and those associated with arthropods are discussed. Rainforests and numerous other habitats in Australasia remain a vast storehouse of unknown fungi anamorphici—thousands of species yet to be collected, classified and described.