Merging the 2000 plus genera of Dothideomycetes
P. W. CROUS (1), K. D. Hyde (2). (1) CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, Netherlands; (2) School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
The Dothideomycetes represent the fungal class with the most known plant pathogens, including more than 100 families and 2000 genera. To merge asexual and sexual genera, the type species of the respective genera have to cluster in the same, well-resolved phylogenetic clade. Once monophyly has been established, genera compete equally for priority, even though proposals have to be published to propose the use of asexual genera over that of sexual genera. In cases where the asexual genus is better known however, it can now be chosen over the sexual genus, which traditionally had priority under the previous Code. Classic examples to consider are <i>Bipolaris-Cochliobolus</i>, <i>Elsinoë- Sphaerulina</i>, <i>Cladosporium-Davidiella</i>, <i>Ramularia-Mycosphaerella</i>, <i>Alternaria-Lewia</i> and <i>Didymella-Phoma</i>, to name but a few. Priority also extends to family level, where older asexual families frequently have priority over families based on sexual genera, e.g. Cladosporiaceae versus Davidiellaceae, Phyllostictaceae versus Guignardiaceae. A special nomenclatural working group has been established under the International Commission for the Taxonomy of Fungi to publish recommendations about the integration of asexual and sexual genera in the Dothideomycetes, which should be completed later this year.
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