edited by James F. White et al

Providing a holistic view of the entire clavicipitalean family, this reference analyzes the ecology, evolution, genetics, physiology, and taxonomy of this diverse group of fungi for identification of common biological, biochemical, and genetic features and discovery of potential medical and agricultural applications.

Contents

1. Historical Perspectives: Human Interactions with Clavicipitalean Fungi

   Taxonomy and Diversity

2. A Taxonomic Review of the Clavicipitaceous Anamorphs Parasitizing Nematodes and Other Microinvertebrates
3. Clavicipitaceous Anomorphs
4. The Plant-Infecting Clavicipitaleans
5. Distinguishing Features of the Tribe Balansieae
6. Taxonomy and Diversity of Epichloë Endophytes
7. Diversity in Claviceps
8. Nigrocornus scleroticus, a Common Old World Balansioid Fungus

   Ecology and Evolution

9. Processes of Species Evolution in Epichloë/Neotyphodium Endophytes of Grasses
10. Interkingdom Host Shift in the Cordyceps Fungi
11. The Evolutionary Strategy of Claviceps

    Molecular Genetics and Physiology

12. Secondary Metabolites of the Clavicipitalean Fungi
13. Molecular Genetics of Ergot Alkaloid Biosynthesis
14. Genetic Manipulation of Clavicipitalean Endophytes
15. Molecular Aspects of Host–Pathogen Interactions and Ergot Alkaloid Biosynthesis in Claviceps

    Impacts and Applications

16. Ergot Alkaloid Toxicity
17. Commercial Applications of Endophytic Fungi
18. Use of Clavicipitalean Fungi for the Biological Control of Arhthropod Pests
19. Evidence for Nematode Defense in Symbiotic Grasses

Index

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