| 内容提要: |
The kingdom Fungi is a monophyletic eukaryotic lineage consisting of chemo-organotrophic organisms with two distinct growth forms: spherical cells (yeasts) and threadlike structures called hyphae (filamentous fungi). The success of fungi in terrestrial ecosystem can be attributed to their hyphal growth and spore formation for long range dispersal. Fungi monopolize two important niches viz. mycorrhiza formation and lignocellulose degradation which are essential for functioning of terrestrial systems. However, fungi first arose in oceans (800mya) and then colonized land post loss of motile zoospores about 700 mya. But Fungi have been considered terrestrial and oceans a “fungal desert”. Recent studies on marine planktonic fungi from several geographical locations have established planktonic marine fungi as important nutrient cyclers of the coastal ecosystem. This presentation will focus on recent articles that establish role of planktonic fungi as phytoplanktonic detritus decomposers. |