Generic boundaries in the Ophiostomatales reconsidered and revised

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Fungal Taxonomy
• Molecular Phylogenetics

Background:

• The order Ophiostomatales, established in 1980, includes plant and human pathogens and insect associates.
• Previous taxonomic confusion in Ophiostomatales was largely due to convergent evolution of morphological traits.
• DNA-based methods have largely resolved taxonomic uncertainties, but some generic boundaries and species placements remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reconsider and revise generic boundaries within the Ophiostomatales using a phylogenomic framework.
• To identify and describe novel genera and clarify the placement of existing and previously described taxa.
• To provide a comprehensive and robust phylogenetic understanding of the Ophiostomatales.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a phylogenomic framework using genome-wide sequence data from 31 species representing major genera.
• Amplification and sequencing of DNA from over 200 species across all lineages of the Ophiostomatales.
• Phylogenetic analyses based on multiple gene regions and a concatenated dataset.

Main Results:

• Confirmation of the delineation of nine accepted genera: Aureovirgo, Ceratocystiopsis, Esteya, Fragosphaeria, Graphilbum, Hawksworthiomyces, Ophiostoma, Raffaelea, and Sporothrix.
• Reinstatement of the genera Grosmannia and Dryadomyces with redefined circumscriptions.
• Description of four new genera: Harringtonia, Heinzbutinia, Jamesreidia, and Masuyamyces, along with one new species and 39 new combinations.

Conclusions:

• The study provides the most comprehensive and robust phylogenies for the Ophiostomatales to date.
• Generic boundaries within the Ophiostomatales have been clarified, resolving several nomenclatural issues.
• The revised taxonomy enhances the understanding of fungal diversity, evolution, and relationships within this important order.