Ligninsphaeriaceae J. F. Zhang, J. K. Liu & Z. Y. Liu, in Zhang et al., Phytotaxa 247(2): 112 (2016).
MycoBank number: MB 551759; Index Fungorum number: IF 551759; Facesoffungi number: FoF 01661, 2 species with molecular data.
Saprobic on decaying bamboo or submerged wood in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Sexual morph: Ascomata scattered, solitary, immersed under the host tissue, black, subglobose or obpyriform, clypeate. Ostiole central, with a crest-like opening. Peridium coriaceous to carbonaceous, composed of dark brown to pale or hyaline cells arranged in textura angularis. Hamathecium comprising numerous, filiform, cellular pseudoparaphyses, embedded in a gelatinous matrix. Asci 8-spored, broad-clavate, bitunicate, fissitunicate, apically rounded with a distinct ocular chamber and a tapering, short pedicel. Ascospores 3–4-seriate, broad-fusiform, hyaline to brown, uni- or multi-septate, forming appendages in both ends. Asexual morph: Undetermined.
Type – Ligninsphaeria J.F. Zhang, J.K. Liu, K.D. Hyde & Z.Y. Liu.
Notes – An independent lineage was formed and introduced as Ligninsphaeria within Pleosporales based on morphological and molecular evidence (Zhang et al. 2016c). We formally introduce the new family Ligninsphaeriaceae to accommodate the monotypic genus Ligninsphaeria. Ligninsphaeria is easily distinguished from other related groups in Pleosporales based on remarkable characteristics and molecular analysis, but more collections of this group are needed to provide informative data to show its natural classification.
Genera