MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Two new classes of Ascomycota: Xylobotryomycetes and Candelariomycetes

Summary

This research resolves the classification of some unique fungi by establishing two new classes within the fungal kingdom. The findings help scientists better understand fungal diversity and evolution. Impacts on everyday life: – Improves our understanding of fungal biodiversity – Helps establish proper classification systems used by researchers worldwide – Contributes to knowledge about fungal evolution and relationships – Aids in the identification and study of fungi in various environments – Supports broader research into fungal roles in ecosystems

Background

The genus Xylobotryum is an enigmatic stromatic ascomycete with unique morphological features that has historically been difficult to classify systematically within Ascomycota. Similarly, the peculiar coelomycetous genus Cirrosporium has had an uncertain phylogenetic position. Recent molecular analyses were needed to properly determine their taxonomic placement.

Objective

To investigate the phylogenetic relationships and systematic classification of Xylobotryum and Cirrosporium through molecular analyses, and to provide detailed morphological descriptions of accepted Xylobotryum species.

Results

Phylogenetic analyses revealed that Xylobotryum and Cirrosporium form an isolated, highly supported monophyletic lineage within Leotiomyceta, warranting their classification in a new class Xylobotryomycetes. The analyses also showed that Candelariomycetidae is phylogenetically distinct from Lecanoromycetes, supporting its elevation to class status as Candelariomycetes.

Conclusion

Based on molecular and morphological evidence, two new fungal classes were established: Xylobotryomycetes containing the new order Xylobotryales with families Xylobotryaceae and Cirrosporiaceae, and Candelariomycetes containing the existing order Candelariales. This resolves long-standing taxonomic uncertainties regarding these unique fungal lineages.
  • Published in:Persoonia : Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Phylogenetic Analysis,
  • Source: 10.3767/persoonia.2019.42.02
Scroll to Top