Fungal evolution and taxonomy

Fungi and insects are closely associated in many terrestrial and some aquatic habitats. In addition to the pathogenic associations, many more interactions involve fungal spore dispersal. Recent advances in the study of insect-associated fungi have come from phylogenic analyses with increased taxon sampling and additional DNA loci. In addition to providing stable phylogenies, some molecular studies have begun to unravel problems of dating of evolutionary events, convergent evolution and host switching. These studies also enlighten our understanding of fungal ecology and the development of organismal interactions. Mycologists continue to rely heavily, however, on identified specimens based on morphology to incorporate more of the estimated 1.5 million species of fungi in phylogenetic studies.