The Ascostromatic Ascomycetes

Abstract

The new subclass LOCULOASCOMYCETES is proposed for the series of Ascomycetes with bitunicate asci produced in locules in an ascostromatic ascocarp. This subclass corresponds essentially to Nannfeldt''s Ascoloculares, with emphasis placed on the bitunicate ascus as the primary characteristic of the group. Orders included in the Loculoascomycetes are the Myriangiales, Dothideales, Trichothyriales, Hysteriales, Pleosporales, and Microthyriales. The new name PLEO-SPORALES is proposed for an order comprising all Loculoascomycetes in which the asci arise among pseudoparaphyses in perithecium-like locules. The family Pseudosphaeriaceae is limited to fungi similar to Pseudosphaeria, the type genus, and is placed in the Dothideales. Consequently, the name Pseudo-sphaeriales must be relegated to synonomy with the Dothideales. The Loculoascomycetes are considered a distinct series derived, independently of the Pyrenomycetes, from the Hemiascomycetes. The Myriangiales probably represent the most primitive group from which have arisen two diverging lines, one producing the Dothideales, the other the Pleosporales and related orders. The Plectomycetes, true Pyrenomycetes, and Discomycetes are retained in the subclass Euascomycetes.