Phylogenetic relationships and an assessment of traditionally used taxonomic characters in the Sporormiaceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota), utilising multi‐gene phylogenies

Abstract

The family Sporormiaceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) occur worldwide and a majority of the species are coprophilous. The taxonomy and classification of the family are based on a small number of morphological and ecological characters. Several taxa are easily confused by their shared morphological features, and the relationships between genera are poorly known and in need of critical study. The aims of this study were to resolve the phylogenetic relationships within the Sporormiaceae, test the current generic classification, and study the utility of traditional characters for the taxonomy in the group. To resolve these questions, we analysed combined data sets of ITS‐nLSU rDNA, mtSSU rDNA and ß‐tubulin sequences with parsimony and Bayesian methods.

Notes

Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]