Sordariomycetes is one of the largest classes of Ascomycota that comprises a highly diverse range of fungi characterized mainly by perithecial ascomata and inoperculate unitunicate asci.The class includes many importa...Sordariomycetes is one of the largest classes of Ascomycota that comprises a highly diverse range of fungi characterized mainly by perithecial ascomata and inoperculate unitunicate asci.The class includes many important plant pathogens,as well as endophytes,saprobes,epiphytes,coprophilous and fungicolous,lichenized or lichenicolous taxa.They occur in terrestrial,freshwater and marine habitats worldwide.This paper reviews the 107 families of the class Sordariomycetes and provides a modified backbone tree based on phylogenetic analysis of four combined loci,with a maximum five representative taxa from each family,where available.This paper brings together for the first time,since Barrs’1990 Prodromus,descriptions,notes on the history,and plates or illustrations of type or representative taxa of each family,a list of accepted genera,including asexual genera and a key to these taxa of Sordariomycetes.Delineation of taxa is supported where possible by molecular data.The outline is based on literature to the end of 2015 and the Sordariomycetes now comprises six subclasses,32 orders,105 families and 1331 genera.The family Obryzaceae and Pleurotremataceae are excluded from the class.展开更多
The previous phylogenies of Sordariomycetes by M.E.Barr,O.E.Eriksson and D.L.Hawksworth,and T.Lumbsch and S.Huhndorf,were mainly based on morphology and thus were somewhat subjective.Later outlines by T.Lumbsch and S....The previous phylogenies of Sordariomycetes by M.E.Barr,O.E.Eriksson and D.L.Hawksworth,and T.Lumbsch and S.Huhndorf,were mainly based on morphology and thus were somewhat subjective.Later outlines by T.Lumbsch and S.Huhndorf,and Maharachchikumbura and co-authors,took into account phylogenetic evidence.However,even these phylogenetic driven arrangements for Sordariomycetes,were somewhat subjective,as the arrangements in trees depended on many variables,such as number of taxa,different gene regions and methods used in the analyses.What is needed is extra evidence to help standardize ranking in the fungi.Estimation of divergence times using molecular clock methods has been proposed for providing additional rational for higher ranking of taxa.Thus,in Sordariomycetes,a divergence period(i.e.200–300 MYA)can be used as criteria to judge when a group of related taxa evolved and what rank they should be given.In this paper,we provide an updated classification of accepted subclasses,orders of Sordariomycetes and use divergence times to provide additional evidence to stabilize ranking of taxa in the class.We point out and discuss discrepancies where the phylogenetic tree conflicts with the molecular clock.展开更多
Species with relatively small,membraneous,black ascomata,with or without long necks,unitunicate,cylindrical asci with apical rings and fusiform,hyaline ascospores with or without mucilaginous sheaths are common in fre...Species with relatively small,membraneous,black ascomata,with or without long necks,unitunicate,cylindrical asci with apical rings and fusiform,hyaline ascospores with or without mucilaginous sheaths are common in freshwater habitats in tropical and temperate regions.Many of these taxa have originally been recorded as Annulatascaceae-like taxa.Twenty genera have been included in the family Annulatascaceae,mostly based on morphological characters,while molecular work and phylogenetic analyses are lacking for many genera.In this study,nine new Annulatascaceae-like taxa collected from Thailand were morphologically examined.Pure cultures obtained from single ascospores were used in molecular studies.The nine new strains and several other strains of Annulatascaceae-like Sordariomycetes species were used to establish phylogenetic and evolution relationships among the taxa,based on combined LSU,SSU,ITS and RPB2 sequence data.Phylogenetic analyses provide evidence to introduce one new order and six new families,to accommodate taxa excluded from Annulatascaceae sensu stricto.A new order Atractosporales is established based on the molecular study,including three new introduced families Conlariaceae,Pseudoproboscisporaceae and Atractosporaceae.Conlariaceae is introduced for the genus Conlarium which comprises two species,Conlarium duplumascosporun and a new Hyphomycetous asexual morph taxon Conlarium aquaticum which has subglobose or irregular,brown,clathrate,muriform conidia.Pseudoproboscisporaceae includes Pseudoproboscispora and Diluviicola,while Atractosporaceae includes the genera Rubellisphaeria and Atractospora.Barbatosphaeria,Xylomelasma and Ceratostomella form a distinct stable lineage which is introduced as a new family Barbatosphaeriaceae in Diaporthomycetidae families incertae sedis.A new family Lentomitellaceae is introduced in Diaporthomycetidae families incertae sedis,to accommodate the genus Lentomitella.Woswasiaceae is introduced to accommodate Woswasia,Xylochrysis and Cyanoannulus in Diaporthomycetidae families incertae sedis.Three new species of Fluminicola viz.F.saprophytica,F.thailandensis and F.aquatica are introduced.A new sexual morph,Dictyosporella thailandensis,is reported and Dictyosporella is excluded from Annulatascaceae and placed in Diaporthomycetidae genera incertae sedis.The first sexual morph of Sporidesmium,S.thailandense is also described.The new species Atractospora thailandensis,Diluviicola aquatica and Pseudoproboscispora thailandensis are also introduced.Platytrachelon is added to Papulosaceae based on phylogenetic analysis and morphological characters.Aquaticola,Fusoidispora and Pseudoannulatascus are excluded from Annulatascaceae and placed in Diaporthomycetidae genera incertae sedis.Mirannulata is accommodated in Sordariomycetes,genera incertae sedis.展开更多
The recent realistic estimate of fungal numbers which used various algorithms was between 2.2 and 3.8 million.There are nearly 100,000 accepted species of Fungi and fungus-like taxa,which is between 2.6 and 4.5%of the...The recent realistic estimate of fungal numbers which used various algorithms was between 2.2 and 3.8 million.There are nearly 100,000 accepted species of Fungi and fungus-like taxa,which is between 2.6 and 4.5%of the estimated species.Several forums such as Botanica Marina series,Fungal Diversity notes,Fungal Biodiversity Profiles,Fungal Systematics and Evolution-New and Interesting Fungi,Mycosphere notes and Fungal Planet have enhanced the introduction of new taxa and nearly 2000 species have been introduced in these publications in the last decade.The need to define a fungal species more accurately has been recognized,but there is much research needed before this can be better clarified.We address the evidence that is needed to estimate the numbers of fungi and address the various advances that have been made towards its understanding.Some genera are barely known,whereas some plant pathogens comprise numerous species complexes and numbers are steadily increasing.In this paper,we examine ten genera as case studies to establish trends in fungal description and introduce new species in each genus.The genera are the ascomycetes Colletotrichum and Pestalotiopsis(with many species or complexes),Atrocalyx,Dothiora,Lignosphaeria,Okeanomyces,Rhamphoriopsis,Thozetella,Thyrostroma(rela-tively poorly studied genera)and the basidiomycete genus Lepiota.We provide examples where knowledge is incomplete or lacking and suggest areas needing further research.These include(1)the need to establish what is a species,(2)the need to establish how host-specific fungi are,not in highly disturbed urban areas,but in pristine or relatively undisturbed forests,and(3)the need to establish if species in different continents,islands,countries or regions are different,or if the same fungi occur worldwide?Finally,we conclude whether we are anywhere near to flattening the curve in new species description.展开更多
Hot desert regions are undoubtedly challenging to fungal survival on the Arabian Peninsula.Fungi are,however,recognized as the most stress-resistant organisms among all eukaryotes,which could be a result of the rapid ...Hot desert regions are undoubtedly challenging to fungal survival on the Arabian Peninsula.Fungi are,however,recognized as the most stress-resistant organisms among all eukaryotes,which could be a result of the rapid evolution of distinct species.Our current understanding of these microorganisms is derived from studies examining only a fraction of the overall fungal diversity.Therefore,further studies are needed to understand the diversity of fungi in desert regions.This paper highlights the taxonomy of several unusual fungal genera collected in a range of aquatic and terrestrial environments in Oman.These taxa were identified based on phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal DNA(rDNA)(LSU,SSU and ITS)and protein-coding genes(TEF,RPB2 and TUB),plus morphological comparisons.Phylogenetic analyses,including the presently recognized genera in Patellariales resulted in splitting the order into four clades in Dothideomycetes.The new family Holmiellaceae and new order Holmiellales are introduced to include Holmiella.Species of Homortomycetaceae form a well-supported and distinct clade and raise it to Homortomycetales ordo novus.Omania(Halojulellaceae),Desertiserpentica(Lophiostomata-ceae)and Montanitestudina(Testudinaceae)are described as novel genera in Dothideomycetes.A synnematous hyphomycete with basidiomycetous affinity(Corticiales)was also identified and described as Basidiodesertica.Additionally,an asexual morph was observed for Holmiella junipericola;Patellaria quercus is synonymized under P.atrata,and seven new species are described.展开更多
The history of assigning ranks to fungi,as well as the relative importance of using divergence time estimates is reviewed.The paper pays tribute to the major mycological players,and especially to David Hawksworth on h...The history of assigning ranks to fungi,as well as the relative importance of using divergence time estimates is reviewed.The paper pays tribute to the major mycological players,and especially to David Hawksworth on his 70th birthday and his contribution to fungal ranking in Systema Ascomycetum from 1982 to 1998.Following the conclusion of the latter series,the ranking continued with the Outlines of Ascomycota in 2007 and 2010 and more recently with specific classes in‘Towards an outline of Sordariomycetes’and‘Families of Dothideomycetes’.Earlier classifications based on phenotype were certainly more subjective;however,remarkably many of these old arrangements have stood the test of time.More recently,phylogenetic analyses have provided evidence towards a natural classification,resulting in significant changes in many lineages.The classification arrangements however,are still subjective and dependent on the taxa analysed,resulting in different taxonomic interpretations and schemes,particularly when it comes to ranking.Thus,what have been considered as genera by some,have been introduced as families by others.More recently,estimation of divergence times using molecular clock methods have been used as objective evidence for higher ranking of taxa.A divergence period(i.e.200–300 MYA)can be used as a criterion to infer when a group of related taxa evolved and what rank they should be given.We compiled data on divergence times for various higher ranking taxa in the Kingdom Fungi.The kingdom evolved 1000–1600 MYA(Stenian–Calymmian),while the presently accepted phyla evolved between 358 and 541 MYA(Devonian–Cambrian).Divergence times for subphyla are generally between 358 and 485 MYA(Devonian–Ordovician),those of classes 145–358 MYA(Jurassic–Carboniferous),subclasses 66–358 MYA(Cretaceous–Carboniferous),orders 23–252 MYA(Paleogene–Triassic),families 2.8–145 MYA(Neogene–Cretaceous),and genera 2.8–66 MYA(Neogene–Paleogene).Thus,there are wide discrepancies in the times different taxa diverged.We provide an overview over Ascomycota,showing how application of temporal banding could affect the recognition of higher taxa at certain rank levels.We then use Sordariomycetes as an example where we use divergence times to provide additional evidence to stabilize ranking of taxa below class level.We propose a series of evolutionary periods that could be used as a guide to determine the various higher ranks of fungi:phyla[550 MYA,subphyla 400–550 MYA;classes 300–400 MYA;subclasses 250–300 MYA,orders 150–250 MYA,and families 50–150 MYA.It is proposed that classification schemes and ranking of taxa should,where possible,incorporate a polyphasic approach including phylogeny,phenotype,and estimate of divergence times.展开更多
基金the featured microbial resources and diversity investigation in Southwest Karst area(2014FY120100).The Biodiversity and Training Program(BRT R_251006,BRT R_351004,BRT_R352015)+3 种基金National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology(BIOTEC)Khlong Luang,Pathum Thani 12120,ThailandNational Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC,No.30870009&31460011)the International Collaboration Plan of Guizhou Province(No.G[2012]7006)Ka-Lai Pang thanks the Ministry of Science and Technology,Taiwan(grant no.101-2621-B-019-001-MY3)for financial support.
文摘Sordariomycetes is one of the largest classes of Ascomycota that comprises a highly diverse range of fungi characterized mainly by perithecial ascomata and inoperculate unitunicate asci.The class includes many important plant pathogens,as well as endophytes,saprobes,epiphytes,coprophilous and fungicolous,lichenized or lichenicolous taxa.They occur in terrestrial,freshwater and marine habitats worldwide.This paper reviews the 107 families of the class Sordariomycetes and provides a modified backbone tree based on phylogenetic analysis of four combined loci,with a maximum five representative taxa from each family,where available.This paper brings together for the first time,since Barrs’1990 Prodromus,descriptions,notes on the history,and plates or illustrations of type or representative taxa of each family,a list of accepted genera,including asexual genera and a key to these taxa of Sordariomycetes.Delineation of taxa is supported where possible by molecular data.The outline is based on literature to the end of 2015 and the Sordariomycetes now comprises six subclasses,32 orders,105 families and 1331 genera.The family Obryzaceae and Pleurotremataceae are excluded from the class.
基金K.D.Hyde thanks the Chinese Academy of Sciences,Project Number 2013T2S0030for the award of Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists at Kunming Institute of Botany.The authors extend their appreciation to the International Scientific Partnership Program ISPP at King Saud University for funding this research work through ISPP#0089+2 种基金K.D.Hyde would like to thank the Thailand Research Fund(TRF)Grant No.RSA5980068 entitled Biodiversityphylogeny and role of fungal endophytes on above parts of Rhizophora apiculata and Nypa fruticans and National Research Council of Thailand(NRCT)entitled Diseases of mangrove trees and maintenance of good forestry practice(Grant Number:60201000201)The authors would like to thank NRCT for the grant to study the Biodiversity,phylogeny and role of fungal endophytes of Pandanaceae(Grant No.:592010200112).
文摘The previous phylogenies of Sordariomycetes by M.E.Barr,O.E.Eriksson and D.L.Hawksworth,and T.Lumbsch and S.Huhndorf,were mainly based on morphology and thus were somewhat subjective.Later outlines by T.Lumbsch and S.Huhndorf,and Maharachchikumbura and co-authors,took into account phylogenetic evidence.However,even these phylogenetic driven arrangements for Sordariomycetes,were somewhat subjective,as the arrangements in trees depended on many variables,such as number of taxa,different gene regions and methods used in the analyses.What is needed is extra evidence to help standardize ranking in the fungi.Estimation of divergence times using molecular clock methods has been proposed for providing additional rational for higher ranking of taxa.Thus,in Sordariomycetes,a divergence period(i.e.200–300 MYA)can be used as criteria to judge when a group of related taxa evolved and what rank they should be given.In this paper,we provide an updated classification of accepted subclasses,orders of Sordariomycetes and use divergence times to provide additional evidence to stabilize ranking of taxa in the class.We point out and discuss discrepancies where the phylogenetic tree conflicts with the molecular clock.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Project ID:NSF 31500017 to Huang Zhang)Scientific Foundation of Kunming University of Science and Technology(Project ID:14118899 to Huang Zhang)Thanks are extended to Saranyaphat Boonmee for their assistance in microscope use.
文摘Species with relatively small,membraneous,black ascomata,with or without long necks,unitunicate,cylindrical asci with apical rings and fusiform,hyaline ascospores with or without mucilaginous sheaths are common in freshwater habitats in tropical and temperate regions.Many of these taxa have originally been recorded as Annulatascaceae-like taxa.Twenty genera have been included in the family Annulatascaceae,mostly based on morphological characters,while molecular work and phylogenetic analyses are lacking for many genera.In this study,nine new Annulatascaceae-like taxa collected from Thailand were morphologically examined.Pure cultures obtained from single ascospores were used in molecular studies.The nine new strains and several other strains of Annulatascaceae-like Sordariomycetes species were used to establish phylogenetic and evolution relationships among the taxa,based on combined LSU,SSU,ITS and RPB2 sequence data.Phylogenetic analyses provide evidence to introduce one new order and six new families,to accommodate taxa excluded from Annulatascaceae sensu stricto.A new order Atractosporales is established based on the molecular study,including three new introduced families Conlariaceae,Pseudoproboscisporaceae and Atractosporaceae.Conlariaceae is introduced for the genus Conlarium which comprises two species,Conlarium duplumascosporun and a new Hyphomycetous asexual morph taxon Conlarium aquaticum which has subglobose or irregular,brown,clathrate,muriform conidia.Pseudoproboscisporaceae includes Pseudoproboscispora and Diluviicola,while Atractosporaceae includes the genera Rubellisphaeria and Atractospora.Barbatosphaeria,Xylomelasma and Ceratostomella form a distinct stable lineage which is introduced as a new family Barbatosphaeriaceae in Diaporthomycetidae families incertae sedis.A new family Lentomitellaceae is introduced in Diaporthomycetidae families incertae sedis,to accommodate the genus Lentomitella.Woswasiaceae is introduced to accommodate Woswasia,Xylochrysis and Cyanoannulus in Diaporthomycetidae families incertae sedis.Three new species of Fluminicola viz.F.saprophytica,F.thailandensis and F.aquatica are introduced.A new sexual morph,Dictyosporella thailandensis,is reported and Dictyosporella is excluded from Annulatascaceae and placed in Diaporthomycetidae genera incertae sedis.The first sexual morph of Sporidesmium,S.thailandense is also described.The new species Atractospora thailandensis,Diluviicola aquatica and Pseudoproboscispora thailandensis are also introduced.Platytrachelon is added to Papulosaceae based on phylogenetic analysis and morphological characters.Aquaticola,Fusoidispora and Pseudoannulatascus are excluded from Annulatascaceae and placed in Diaporthomycetidae genera incertae sedis.Mirannulata is accommodated in Sordariomycetes,genera incertae sedis.
基金the Thailand Research Fund for the grant RDG6130001MS Impact of climate change on fungal diversity and biogeography in the Greater Mekong SubregionCalabon is grateful to the Mushroom Research Foundation,Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute,and Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the Royal Initiation of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn-Mae Fah Luang University+11 种基金the Royal Golden Jubilee PhD Program under Thailand Research Fund(RGJ)no.PHD/0002/2560.Chayanard Phukhamsakda would like to thank the Royal Golden Jubilee PhD Program under Thailand Research Fund(RGJ)for a personal grant to C.Phukhamsakda(The scholarship no.PHD/0020/2557 to study towards a PhD)Saowaluck Tibpromma would like to thank the International Postdoctoral Exchange Fellowship Program(number Y9180822S1),CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative(PIFI)(number 2020PC0009),China Postdoctoral Science Foundation and the Yunnan Human Resources,and Social Security Department Foundation for funding her postdoctoral researchMingkwan Doilom would like to thank the 5th batch of Postdoctoral Orientation Training Personnel in Yunnan Province(grant no.:Y934283261)the 64th batch of China Post-doctoral Science Foundation(grant no.:Y913082271)Yusufjon Gafforov thanks the Ministry of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan(Projects,no.P3-2014-0830174425P3-20170921183),CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative(PIFI)for Visiting Scientist(Grant No.:2018VBB0021)The research is also supported by the project of National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.31560489,31972222)Program of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities of China(111 Program,D20023)National Key Technology Research and Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(2014BAD23B03/03)Talent project of Guizhou Science and Technology Cooperation Platform([2017]5788-5)Guizhou Science,Technology Department International Cooperation Basic Project([2018]5806).E.B.Gareth Jones is supported under the Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program(DSFP),King Saud University,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.R.Phookamsak thanks CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative(PIFI)for young staff(grant no.Y9215811Q1),the National Science Foundation of China(NSFC)project code 31850410489(grant no.Y81I982211)and Chiang Mai University for their financial support.N.Thongklang would like to thank the Thailand research fund grants“Study of saprobic Agaricales in Thailand to find new industrial mushroom products”(Grant No.DBG6180015)K.D.Hyde and N.Thongklang thank to Thailand Science Research and Innovation(TSRI)grant,Macrofungi diversity research from the Lancang-Mekong Watershed and surrounding areas(Grant No.DBG6280009).
文摘The recent realistic estimate of fungal numbers which used various algorithms was between 2.2 and 3.8 million.There are nearly 100,000 accepted species of Fungi and fungus-like taxa,which is between 2.6 and 4.5%of the estimated species.Several forums such as Botanica Marina series,Fungal Diversity notes,Fungal Biodiversity Profiles,Fungal Systematics and Evolution-New and Interesting Fungi,Mycosphere notes and Fungal Planet have enhanced the introduction of new taxa and nearly 2000 species have been introduced in these publications in the last decade.The need to define a fungal species more accurately has been recognized,but there is much research needed before this can be better clarified.We address the evidence that is needed to estimate the numbers of fungi and address the various advances that have been made towards its understanding.Some genera are barely known,whereas some plant pathogens comprise numerous species complexes and numbers are steadily increasing.In this paper,we examine ten genera as case studies to establish trends in fungal description and introduce new species in each genus.The genera are the ascomycetes Colletotrichum and Pestalotiopsis(with many species or complexes),Atrocalyx,Dothiora,Lignosphaeria,Okeanomyces,Rhamphoriopsis,Thozetella,Thyrostroma(rela-tively poorly studied genera)and the basidiomycete genus Lepiota.We provide examples where knowledge is incomplete or lacking and suggest areas needing further research.These include(1)the need to establish what is a species,(2)the need to establish how host-specific fungi are,not in highly disturbed urban areas,but in pristine or relatively undisturbed forests,and(3)the need to establish if species in different continents,islands,countries or regions are different,or if the same fungi occur worldwide?Finally,we conclude whether we are anywhere near to flattening the curve in new species description.
基金the CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative(number 2019PC0008)the 64th batch of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(grant no.2018M643549)Postdoctoral Fund from Human Resources and Social Security Bureau of Yunnan Province and the National Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.:41761144055).
文摘Hot desert regions are undoubtedly challenging to fungal survival on the Arabian Peninsula.Fungi are,however,recognized as the most stress-resistant organisms among all eukaryotes,which could be a result of the rapid evolution of distinct species.Our current understanding of these microorganisms is derived from studies examining only a fraction of the overall fungal diversity.Therefore,further studies are needed to understand the diversity of fungi in desert regions.This paper highlights the taxonomy of several unusual fungal genera collected in a range of aquatic and terrestrial environments in Oman.These taxa were identified based on phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal DNA(rDNA)(LSU,SSU and ITS)and protein-coding genes(TEF,RPB2 and TUB),plus morphological comparisons.Phylogenetic analyses,including the presently recognized genera in Patellariales resulted in splitting the order into four clades in Dothideomycetes.The new family Holmiellaceae and new order Holmiellales are introduced to include Holmiella.Species of Homortomycetaceae form a well-supported and distinct clade and raise it to Homortomycetales ordo novus.Omania(Halojulellaceae),Desertiserpentica(Lophiostomata-ceae)and Montanitestudina(Testudinaceae)are described as novel genera in Dothideomycetes.A synnematous hyphomycete with basidiomycetous affinity(Corticiales)was also identified and described as Basidiodesertica.Additionally,an asexual morph was observed for Holmiella junipericola;Patellaria quercus is synonymized under P.atrata,and seven new species are described.
基金The authors extend their appreciation to the International Scientific Partnership Program ISPP at King Saud University for funding this research work through ISPP#0089.J.C.Xu extend his appreciation to the Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,Project No.QYZDYSSW-SMC014for funding this work.K.D.Hyde extends his appreciation to the Chinese Academy of Sciences,Project No.2013T2S0030+3 种基金for the award of Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists at Kunming Institute of Botany and the Thailand Research Fund(TRF)Grant No.RSA5980068 entitled Biodiversity,phylogeny and role of fungal endophytes on above parts of Rhizophora apiculata and Nypa fruticans and National Research Council of Thailand(NRCT)for a grant entitled Diseases of mangrove trees and maintenance of good forestry practice(Grant No.:60201000201)The authors would also like to thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China to RLZ(Project IDs 31470152 and 31360014)NRCT Grant,Biodiversity,phylogeny and role of fungal endophytes of Pandanaceae(Grant No.:592010200112)K.D.Hyde.Patricia Wiltshire is thanked for providing details on the life and work of Dr Hawksworth.
文摘The history of assigning ranks to fungi,as well as the relative importance of using divergence time estimates is reviewed.The paper pays tribute to the major mycological players,and especially to David Hawksworth on his 70th birthday and his contribution to fungal ranking in Systema Ascomycetum from 1982 to 1998.Following the conclusion of the latter series,the ranking continued with the Outlines of Ascomycota in 2007 and 2010 and more recently with specific classes in‘Towards an outline of Sordariomycetes’and‘Families of Dothideomycetes’.Earlier classifications based on phenotype were certainly more subjective;however,remarkably many of these old arrangements have stood the test of time.More recently,phylogenetic analyses have provided evidence towards a natural classification,resulting in significant changes in many lineages.The classification arrangements however,are still subjective and dependent on the taxa analysed,resulting in different taxonomic interpretations and schemes,particularly when it comes to ranking.Thus,what have been considered as genera by some,have been introduced as families by others.More recently,estimation of divergence times using molecular clock methods have been used as objective evidence for higher ranking of taxa.A divergence period(i.e.200–300 MYA)can be used as a criterion to infer when a group of related taxa evolved and what rank they should be given.We compiled data on divergence times for various higher ranking taxa in the Kingdom Fungi.The kingdom evolved 1000–1600 MYA(Stenian–Calymmian),while the presently accepted phyla evolved between 358 and 541 MYA(Devonian–Cambrian).Divergence times for subphyla are generally between 358 and 485 MYA(Devonian–Ordovician),those of classes 145–358 MYA(Jurassic–Carboniferous),subclasses 66–358 MYA(Cretaceous–Carboniferous),orders 23–252 MYA(Paleogene–Triassic),families 2.8–145 MYA(Neogene–Cretaceous),and genera 2.8–66 MYA(Neogene–Paleogene).Thus,there are wide discrepancies in the times different taxa diverged.We provide an overview over Ascomycota,showing how application of temporal banding could affect the recognition of higher taxa at certain rank levels.We then use Sordariomycetes as an example where we use divergence times to provide additional evidence to stabilize ranking of taxa below class level.We propose a series of evolutionary periods that could be used as a guide to determine the various higher ranks of fungi:phyla[550 MYA,subphyla 400–550 MYA;classes 300–400 MYA;subclasses 250–300 MYA,orders 150–250 MYA,and families 50–150 MYA.It is proposed that classification schemes and ranking of taxa should,where possible,incorporate a polyphasic approach including phylogeny,phenotype,and estimate of divergence times.