Gone with the wind - a review on basidiospores of lamellate agarics

Field mycologists have a deep understanding of the morphological traits of basidiospores with regard to taxonomical classification. But often the increasing evidence that these traits have a biological meaning is overlooked. In this review we have therefore compiled morphological and ecological facts about basidiospores of agaricoid fungi and their functional implications for fungal communities as part of ecosystems. Readers are introduced to the subject, first of all by drawing attention to the dazzling array of basidiospores, which is followed by an account of their physical and chemical qualities, such as size, quantity, structure and their molecular composition. Continuing, spore generation, dispersal and establishment are described and discussed. Finally, possible implications for the major ecological lifestyles are analysed, and major gaps in the knowledge about the ecological functions of basidiospores are highlighted.