INDIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS - India Environment Portal

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Proc. 98th Indian Science Congress, Part II : Presidential Address
in a single source. Hence the apparently diverse forms are inherently unified. The
diversity offers opportunities for exploration, experience and enjoyment. But
enjoyment or bliss is perceived only when the senses are used in moderation.
Diversity at global level is estimated to be represented by 5-30 million species
of living forms on the earth. Of these only 1. 5 million have been identified, which
include 3,00,000 species of green plants and fungi, 8,00,000 species of insects 40,
000 species of vertebrates and around 3,60,000 species of microbes. In India over
1,15000 species of plants and animals have been identified so far, in which about
15000 species of flowering plants, 2700 Bryophytes, 1600 Lichens, 500 Algae, 600
Pteridophytes and 20,000 Fungi. Proteomics and Genomics reveal that all this
diversity of organisms is unified at molecular level. There is a unity of purpose in
nature and all these organisms are not totally independent but exhibit dependence
in the ecosystem.
Nature and its constituents are role models for man to emulate. For example
the plants not only get sustenance from earth but provide sustenance to millions of
members of biota. Similarly the different cycles operative in nature are also
excellent role models exhibiting regularity in duty with devotion and discipline.
In this wonderful world of plants, fungi are a very diverse group of organisms
both like and unlike plants. They are in fact more diverse than any other group of
organisms. Though colourless (without chlorophyll), they are most ‘colorful’ and
amazing. During the last almost four decades, I had an opportunity to Explore,
Experience and Enjoy this wondrous group of organisms. Some of the traditional
groups I worked with are not even considered as true fungi in the recent systems
of classification. The groups I worked with are the Cellular Slime Moulds
(Acrasiomyetes) and Acellular Slime Moulds (Myxomycetes). The other groups of
my interest have been mushrooms and toadstools (Discomycetes, Agaricals and
Aphyllopharales) and mycorrhiza.
I was introduced to the fascinating world of myxomycetes by my revered
teacher, Prof. K. S. Thind, Punjab University, Chandigarh and later I could carry
this interest forward under the guidance of Prof. K. G. Mukerji University of Delhi,
both doyens in the realm of fungi. The myxomycetes have been called Animal-
Plants because they defy man made classifications and share characteristics with
both plants and animals. They are plant-like in their manner of reproduction and
resemble the animals in the characteristics of their assimilative phase. The
assimilative phase consists of a free living, acellular mobile mass of protoplasm, the