A phylogenetic assessment of a fungicolous lineage in , a new genus of -inhabiting species.

The globally distributed genus is one of the most species-rich among polypores in terms of hosting other fungi. Among Trichaptum-associates, there is a group of mazaediate lichenized fungi that previously had an uncertain phylogenetic position. DNA sequences - mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU), nuclear large subunit rDNA (nuLSU), and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) - were obtained from 29 specimens collected from Europe and North America.

The UNITE database for molecular identification and taxonomic communication of fungi and other eukaryotes: sequences, taxa and classifications reconsidered.

UNITE (https://unite.ut.ee) is a web-based database and sequence management environment for molecular identification of eukaryotes.

The Taxon Hypothesis Paradigm-On the Unambiguous Detection and Communication of Taxa.

Here, we describe the taxon hypothesis (TH) paradigm, which covers the construction, identification, and communication of taxa as datasets. Defining taxa as datasets of individuals and their traits will make taxon identification and most importantly communication of taxa precise and reproducible. This will allow datasets with standardized and atomized traits to be used digitally in identification pipelines and communicated through persistent identifiers.

Phylogenetic placement and lectotypification of ().

A phylogenetic analysis of combined rDNA LSU and ITS sequence data was carried out to determine the phylogenetic placement of specimens identified as The species forms a distinct clade within (, ) with and two species. The geographical distribution of this species, previously known only from Europe on , is extended to north-western North America where it grows exclusively on . The name is lectotypified in order to disentangle the complicated nomenclature of the species.

Lichenicolous species of Hainesia belong to Phacidiales (Leotiomycetes) and are included in an extended concept of Epithamnolia.

The lichenicolous taxa currently included in the genus Hainesia were studied based on the nuclear rDNA (18S, 28S, and internal transcribed spacer [ITS]) genes. The authors found that lichenicolous taxa form a distinct lineage sister to Epiglia gloeocapsae (Phacidiales, Leotiomycetes), only distantly related to the type species of Hainesia (Chaetomellaceae, Helotiales). Owing to morphological similarities, the authors include the lichenicolous species into the previously monotypic genus Epithamnolia.

Towards a unified paradigm for sequence-based identification of fungi.

The nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region is the formal fungal barcode and in most cases the marker of choice for the exploration of fungal diversity in environmental samples. Two problems are particularly acute in the pursuit of satisfactory taxonomic assignment of newly generated ITS sequences: (i) the lack of an inclusive, reliable public reference data set and (ii) the lack of means to refer to fungal species, for which no Latin name is available in a standardized stable way. Here, we report on progress in these regards through further development of the UNITE database (http://unite.