“AQUATIC ASCOMYCETES”

B iological diversity (biodiversity) encompasses the variety of life forms occurring in nature, from the ecosystem to the genetic level, as a result of evolutionary history (Wilson, 1992). The idea that fungi form a kingdom distinct from plants and animals gradually became accepted only after Whittaker (1969). Presently, the “fungi” as a mega-diverse group span three kingdoms, most belonging to the Kingdom Fungi (Eumycota), while others are classified in the Kingdom Protozoa and Kingdom Chromista (Straminipila) (Cavalier-Smith, 1998; James et al., 2006). The word “fungi” (in lower case and not in italics) is commonly used as a collective term for organisms traditionally studied by mycologists from all three kingdoms (Hawksworth, 1991). Estimates for the number of fungi in the world range up to ca. 13.5 M species (Kirk et al., 2008).