Fungi are now at the forefront of research on mechanisms in gene silencing, biological rhythm, mating processes, and speciation, among other areas. Following in the footsteps of its highly praised predecessor, this book continues to be a comprehensive review of the state of our knowledge about how fungi function. It presents the latest information on fungal biology generated through the application of genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. This accessible book covers such topics as scavenging and nutrient cycling, DNA-based identification, and circadian rhythms in fungi. Thoroughly revised and updated, the second edition includes new chapters and a glossary.