Black fungal extremes. 2008. (Studies in mycology, Vol. 61). illus. V, 194 p. gr8vo. Paper bd.

Black fungi tend to be ecologically remarkable. Members of Dothidealesand Capnodiales thrive under harsh environmental conditions, such asdryness, solar irradiation, high osmolarity or very low pH. Environmentsinvestigated range between Antarctic rock, Spitsbergen glaciers, Mediterranean saltpans, and even outer space. Mechanisms of stress tolerance are described, and new genera, species and varieties of extremotolerant fungi are reported. The human infection tinea nigra bythese species can be explained by halotolerant colonization. Members ofthe Chaetothyriales have ancestors with rock-dwelling life styles, butderived species are frequently found in human infections. Essential factors for ecology and evolution are described, such as oligotrophism,assimilation of aromatic hydrocarbons, and meristematic growth, andmethods for selective isolation based on these features are proposed. Novel species are introduced, and tools for molecular identification areprovided.