Fungus is any member of eukaryotic organisms which include yeasts,
mushrooms, molds, mildews, rusts and smuts. Mycology is the field of
biology which focuses on the study of fungi. It includes fungi's
biochemical and genetic properties, taxonomy, and diseases.
Mycotoxicology focuses on the analysis and study of fungal toxins called
mycotoxins. Ethnomycology is an interdisciplinary field concerned with
the study of sociological impact and historical uses of fungi. Fungi are
used by forensic experts in criminal examinations. This is known as
forensic mycology. Medicinal mycology is concerned with study of
pathogenic fungi, fungal diseases along with their ecology and
epidemiology. Basidiobolomycosis, valley fever, cryptococcosis and
fungal meningitis are some of the common fungal diseases. This book is a
compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts in the
field of mycology. It presents this complex subject in the most
comprehensible and easy to understand language. Those in search of
information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this
textbook.