Phylogenetic relationships and morphological reappraisal of Chaetothyriales

The order Chaetothyriales, are mainly epiphytes, often with the appearance of sooty moulds and are found adpressed to the surface of leaves and stems, gaining nutrients from sugary exudates. Others can be saprobes growing on decaying wood or pathogens on plants, mushrooms and animals, including humans. This group has other ecologies, such as being associated with ants, rocks and lichens. Most species of Chaetothyriales are delimited exclusively by morphology. There has been very little molecular reassessment of the group. We revisit the recently listed genera in Chaetothyriales as in the Outline of the Fungi 2020. Currently, the families, Chaetothyriaceae, Coccodiniaceae, Cyphellophoraceae, Epibryaceae, Herpotrichiellaceae, Lyrommataceae, Microtheliopsidaceae, Paracladophialophoraceae, Pyrenotrichaceae and Trichomeriaceae, with 55 genera are accepted in Chaetothyriales. Four genera have not been resolved and are placed in Chaetothyriales genera incertae sedis. A checklist and a backbone tree of Chaetothyriales based on ITS and LSU sequence data are provided. Illustrations, line drawings, and descriptions are provided based on the examination of types and the literature.

Automated summary

Chaetothyriales are mainly epiphytes that gain nutrients from sugary exudates on leaves and stems, and can also be saprobes or pathogens on plants, mushrooms, and animals, with various ecological associations. Most species are defined by morphology, with little molecular reassessment. This group currently includes ten families with 55 genera as listed in the Outline of the Fungi 2020.