Pleomorphic Fungi

Book excerpt: The diversity of propagules, or simply ``pleomorphy'' (or ``pleomorphism''), is a characteristic of most fungi. In recent years, knowledge with respect to pleomorphy and its dramatic examples has increased enormously. Data on teleomorph-anamorph connections and pleoanamorph (synanamorph) connections together with the analysis of conidium ontogeny cannot be ignored in considering the taxonomy of the major groups of higher fungi today. The purpose of this book is to shed light on those aspects mentioned above, to contribute toward a better knowledge and understanding of pleomorphic fungi, and to present modern trends associated with the taxonomy, morphology, and nomenclature of pleomorphic fungi. This publication was inspired by the 1983 Third International Mycological Congress at Tokyo, and although it is not intended as the symposium proceedings, symposium speakers make up the nucleus of the book. It is hoped that this book will aid in the development of current knowledge on fungal systematics and provide a useful reference not only to specialists in systematic mycology, but also to researchers, teachers, and university students broadly interested in pleomorphic fungi.