History of Marine Mycology

Abstract

The first marine fungus was described about 160 years ago. A number of algal parasites were described at the beginning of the twentieth century. The discovery of thraustochytrids in 1936 and that of obligate marine, lignicolous fungi in 1944 provided tremendous impetus to the study of marine fungi. The 1950s–1970s witnessed rapid strides in areas of lignicolous and other marine mycetaen fungi, their diversity, and physiology. This period also saw progress with regard to diversity, ecology, and physiology of labyrinthulomycetes. A number of pioneering marine mycologists contributed to the foundation of studies on marine fungi. Marine mycology came of age since 1980s. There has been a rapid increase in the number of obligate marine fungi that have been discovered, and the role of facultative marine fungi has been recognized. Molecular biology and other modern tools have contributed to progress. The role of fungi in a number of diverse ecosystems, including the oceans and extreme marine environments, has begun to come to light. Marine fungal biotechnology has become an important subject of research. A number of laboratories all over the world now study marine fungi.