Kunhiraman C. Rajeshkumar

Resolving the phylogenetic placement of Porobeltraniella and allied genera in the Beltraniaceae

The circumscription of Beltraniaceae has thus far been based on the unique morphological characters of its genera, although these assumptions have never been tested phylogenetically because of a lack of DNA sequence data. The Indian Western Ghats is rich with diverse strains of Beltrania and similar genera, and therefore an attempt was made to re-collect as many species as possible, to study their taxonomy, and to resolve their phylogeny based on LSU and ITS nrDNA sequences. This study provides the first phylogenetic placement of genera Beltraniella, Porobeltraniella, Pseudobeltrania and Hemibeltrania in the Beltraniaceae based on fresh specimens, type studies and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Furthermore, Subramaniomyces appears to be phylogenetically related to beltranioid genera, and is therefore included in Beltraniaceae. However, the phylogenies of the hyphomycete genus Parapleurotheciopsis and the perithecial genus Pidoplitchkoviella appear to change with data selection and phylogenetic analytical method used, and remain unresolved.

Notes for genera: basal clades of Fungi (including Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota , Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota )

Compared to the higher fungi (Dikarya), taxonomic and evolutionary studies on the basal clades of fungi are fewer in number. Thus, the generic boundaries and higher ranks in the basal clades of fungi are poorly known. Recent DNA based taxonomic studies have provided reliable and accurate information. It is therefore necessary to compile all available information since basal clades genera lack updated checklists or outlines. Recently, Tedersoo et al. (MycoKeys 13:1–20, 2016) accepted Aphelidiomycota and Rozellomycota in Fungal clade. Thus, we regard both these phyla as members in Kingdom Fungi. We accept 16 phyla in basal clades viz. Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota. Thus, 611 genera in 153 families, 43 orders and 18 classes are provided with details of classification, synonyms, life modes, distribution, recent literature and genomic data. Moreover, Catenariaceae Couch is proposed to be conserved, Cladochytriales Mozl.-Standr. is emended and the family Nephridiophagaceae is introduced.

Taxonomic Updates with Key Focus on Medically Important Aspergilli

Traditionally fungi are identified based on predominant morphological characters. The advent of molecular methods enabled correlation of anamorphic and teleomorphic stages of the same fungi. This helps to resolve the taxonomical discrepancies since sporulation across all the stages of fungi could not be easily achieved. Recent attempts aims to establish the principle of “one fungus: one name”. In this context this chapter revisits the current valid nomenclature and taxonomic status of major medically important Aspergilli.