ABSTRACT
In addition to the positive effects of fungi on invertebrate and vertebrate animals, in terms of providing a consistent or intermittent food source, fungi can have detrimental effects on animal populations as pathogens. Within humans there are many fungal diseases that can be serious and fatal, especially to individuals with compromised immune systems. Details of some of the important human fungal pathogens can be seen in books such as those written by Blevins and Kern (1997) and Dismukes et al. (2003). However, a discussion of these pathogens is outside the scope of this book. Many of these diseases are not fatal on their own, but can exert enough influence on the health of their host to reduce growth and fecundity, which has consequential effects on the population of the animal.
