Australian Biological Resources Study
The Fungi of Australia series is a major new initiative for the Australian Biological Resources Study. It is a sister series to the Flora of Australia and the Algae of Australia. Together these series will describe all the indigenous and naturalised organisms considered 'plants' by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. The taxa which will be treated in the Fungi of Australia include members of three kingdoms: the Protoctista (the slime moulds), the Chromista (the chytrids and hyphochytrids) and the Eumycota. For historical reasons, lichens will continue to be described in the Flora of Australia.
The Fungi of Australia sets out to document Australian fungi and to provide the basic systematic data necessary for issues relating to conservation, biological diversity, the environment and biotechnology.
The series, which will comprise 60 volumes (many of multiple parts), will provide descriptions of all taxa to species level and below with full synonymy, keys for identification, notes on their ecology, distribution maps and bibliographic information. Cross references between teleomorphs, anamorphs and synanamorphs will be provided when these relationships are known. Many species will be illustrated, either with photographs or line drawings. The series will be accessible to university students and interested amateurs, as well as being indispensible for professional mycologists.
Published volumes:
Fungi of Australia Volume 1A Introduction - Classification
Fungi of Australia Volume 1B Introduction - Fungi in the Environment
Fungi of Australia: Hygrophoraceae
Fungi of Australia: Septoria NEW
The Glossary for the series, published in Volume 1A, is also available at http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/online-resources/glossaries/fungi/index.html
Fungi are the most diverse group of organisms apart from the insects. They occupy almost every habitat on earth and are important in ecosystem function and the maintenance of biodiversity from the individual organism to the global level. Australia is estimated to have between 160 000 and 250 000 species of which less than five per cent have been described.
Go to Contacts for information on the responsible officer for the Fungi of Australia.
