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Stud Mycol 55(1): 13-33 2006
DOI: 10.3114/sim.55.1.13
Copyright © 2006 CBS Fungal Biodiversity Centre
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How many species of fungi are there at the tip of Africa?

Pedro W. Crous1,2,*, Isabella H. Rong3, Alan Wood4, Seonju Lee2, Hugh Glen5, Wilhelm Botha2, Bernard Slippers2, Wilhelm Z. de Beer2, Michael J. Wingfield2 and David L. Hawksworth6

1 Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Fungal Biodiversity Centre, P. O. Box 85167, 3508 AD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
2 Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
3 Biosystematics Division, ARC Plant Protection Research Institute, P. Bag X134, Queenswood, Pretoria 0121, South Africa
4 ARC Plant Protection Research Institute, P. Bag X5017, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa
5 SANBI KwaZulu-Natal Herbarium, P. O. Box 52099, Berea Road, 4007 South Africa
6 The Yellow House, Calle Aguila 12, Colonia La Maliciosa, Mataelpino, ES-28492 Madrid, Spain

* Correspondence: Pedro W. Crous, crous{at}cbs.knaw.nl

Several recent studies have reviewed the extent of fungal biodiversity, and have used these data as basis for revised estimates of species numbers based on known numbers of plants and insects. None of these studies, however, have focused on fungal biodiversity in South Africa. Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the National Collection of Fungi (PREM) in South Africa in 2005, it is thus timely to reflect on the taxonomic research that has been conducted in South Africa over the past Century. Information is presented on the extent of fungal collections preserved at PREM, and the associated research publications that have largely resulted from this resource. These data are placed in context of the known plant and insect biodiversity, and used as basis to estimate the potential number of fungi that could be expected in South Africa. The conservative estimate is of approximately 200 000 species without taking into account those associated with a substantial insect biodiversity.

Keywords Biodiversity / conservation / National Collection of Fungi / numbers of fungi / undescribed species




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