FUNGI IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
The review of published data on fungi as the components of biota of the seas and oceans is presented. The distribution of fungi in different biogeographical regions and biotopes is considered. The importance of depth, temperature and water salinity, types of bottom sediments for the species composition and number of fungal propagules is revealed. The role of saprophytic, parasitic, symbiotic and opportunistic fungi in marine ecosystems as well as the relations of marine fungi and animals are shown. Some perspective lines of further investigations of marine fungi for theoretical and practical purposes are analysed.