A review of Hyphodiscaceae

Abstract

<p>In a recently published classification scheme for<em> Leotiomycetes</em>, the new family<em> Hyphodiscaceae</em> was erected; unfortunately, this study was rife with phylogenetic misinterpretations and hampered by a poor understanding of this group of fungi. This manifested in the form of an undiagnostic familial description, an erroneous familial circumscription, and the redescription of the type species of an included genus as a new species in a different genus. The present work corrects these errors by incorporating new molecular data from this group into phylogenetic analyses and examining the morphological features of the included taxa. An emended description of<em> Hyphodiscaceae</em> is provided, notes and descriptions of the included genera are supplied, and keys to genera and species in<em> Hyphodiscaceae</em> are supplied.<em> Microscypha cajaniensis</em> is combined in<em> Hyphodiscus</em>, and<em> Scolecolachnum nigricans</em> is a taxonomic synonym of<em> Fuscolachnum pteridis</em>. Future work in this family should focus on increasing phylogenetic sampling outside of Eurasia and better characterising described species to help resolve outstanding issues.</p>