An updated phylogeny of Sordariomycetes based on phylogenetic and molecular clock evidence

Sinang Hongsanan, Sajeewa S.N. Maharachchikumbura, Kevin D. Hyde, Milan C. Samarakoon, Rajesh Jeewon, Qi Zhao*, Abdullah M. Al-Sadi, Ali H. Bahkali

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

175 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-41
Number of pages17
JournalFungal Diversity
Volume84
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 1 2017

Keywords

  • Class
  • Classification
  • Divergence times
  • Phylogenetics
  • Ranking

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Ecology

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