FUNGUS DIVERSITY AND GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION

The extent of Fungus diversity is reviewed, with respect to revised estimates of the numbers of plant species, and recent data on the extent of novelty in tropical forests, unexplored habitats, and numbers of orphaned, cryptic, and collected but yet undescribed species. Collections of Fungus cultures are considered to be better referred to as “genetic resource collections” rather than “culture collections” to mesh with current terminology in other groups of organisms. Finally, the special role and responsibilities of CBS, as the major centre for the conservation of Fungus genetic resources worldwide, is emphasized.