BIODIVERSITY OF MICROFUNGI IN NORTH QUEENSLAND

Whereas about 85% of Australian higher plants are either named or know n, as few as 5-10% of fungi are named or known. This is compounded by the fact that there are few taxonomic mycologists (32 working on up to 250 000 species of fungi) compared with higher plant taxonomists (e.g . 25 taxonomists working on 600 Eucalyptus sp.). Part of the reason fo r this is related to the size of the plants. Microfungi can only be se en with a microscope and are often overlooked. Fungi from three habita ts are discussed: rainforests, freshwater streams and mangroves. Impor tant reasons for research into these fungi are reported.