Biology and Ecology of Freshwater Fungi

Abstract

The biodiversity of fungi in freshwater habitats is very high, and their ecological roles are significant. By estimation, there may be more than 3000 species including ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, chytrids, and fungal-like waterborne oomycetes. They are distributed globally as saprobes, animal pathogens, and even plankton parasites. New species have been reported repeatedly through ecological and taxonomical studies based on morphologies and recently through molecular barcodes utilizing latest sequencing technologies. Herein we review their biology and ecological role in the environment.