Diversity, phylogeny and ecology of members of the family Geastraceae

The family Geastraceae is a group of Fungi with global distribution and with saprophytic manner of nutrition. Its members have basic characters of class Gasteromycetes, which no longer exists. The fruitbodies have angiocarpous morphology and peridia are well developer and very distinct in their functions. Star-shaped mature fruitbody is the most typical character of these interesting mushrooms. This bachelor's thesis deals with family Geastraceae. Its object is give a basic overview about the actual state of knowledge of this group of Fungi. It is group that is known from all continets besides from Antarctica. The members of family Geastraceae are saprophytes and they are found in different forest and non-forest habitats. The members of this familia are characterized by their morphology with a special terms and it will be described in details. Other aim is a recapitulation historical development family Geastraceae in system of Basidiomycota. Several recent molecular phylogenetic studies brought some new surprising knowledges about taxonomy of the family Geastraceae and the membership of some genera was questioned