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Title: CLAVICIPITALEAN FUNGI

Author
item WHITE, J - PLANT PATH, RUTGERS UNIV.
item Bacon, Charles
item HYWEL-JONES, N - BIOTECH
item SPATAFORA, J - BIOTECH

Submitted to: Clavicipitalean Fungi
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2002
Publication Date: 6/1/2003
Citation: WHITE, J.F., BACON, C.W., HYWEL-JONES, N., SPATAFORA, J.W. 2003. Clavicipitalean Fungi: Evolutionary Biology, Chemistry, Biocontrol, and Cultural Impacts. White, J.F., Bacon, C.W., Hywell-Jones, N.L., Spatafora, J.W., editors. Marcel Dekker, New York, NY. p.1-575.

Interpretive Summary: The editors of this book have assembled a group of world authorities on a family of fungi that has plague humankind since biblical days. The chapters describes this family of fungi as highly social in its organization with other life forms, as members of it are intimately involved with insects, nematodes, plants, and other fungi. Thus, the fundamental drive within this family is compatibility with the host and not outwardly producing disease signs, but if so the results are not ecologically damaging. Survival of the host is usually enhanced, although in some instances, e.g., insects, the host is ultimately killed. These that do show such hostile signs to the host are those that are primitive and entered the association very early in evolution. Others that do not show signs of antagonism from the host or do not kill the host are highly evolved. This book groups all the world known forms of these fungi, delineates these and indicates their host, defines their ecological role on the planet, and theorizes on their evolutionary strategies within the class. The physiology and genetics of this group are presented, indicating salient features necessary for amplification of highly desired traits and other aspects of molecular biology. There are also chapters devoted to biotechnological uses of these fungi, in terms of pharmacological agents and in terms of grass enhancements such as nematode and fungal disease.

Technical Abstract: Complete Book CLAVICIPITALEAN FUNGI. 2003. EDITORS J.F. WHITE, JR., C.W. BACON, N. HYWEL-JONES, AND J.W. SPATAFORA. MARCEL DEKKER, NEW YORK, NEW YORK.