Biology and Systematics of Leotiomycetes

Dear Colleagues,

Leotiomycetes is one of the most diverse groups within Ascomycota but less than 7% of its diversity is currently known. While previously assumed to be mainly composed of saprobes or pathogens, it is becoming clear that this class also encompasses a variety of symbiotic fungi occupying many different terrestrial and aquatic ecological niches. While typically conceived as comprising apothecial fungi, Leotiomycetes also includes lineages with closed ascomata or those that produce naked asci and many anamorphic lineages. Their small size, the difficulty in correctly identifying them, and the consequent neglect by most mycologists have hindered efforts to sort this class and accurately assess the ecologies and relationships of members. The objective of the proposed Special Issue of Journal of Fungi, in the Section Fungal Evolution, Biodiversity and Systematics, is to bring together high-quality revisions and novel studies that advance the modern understanding of Leotiomycetes. This Special Issue will cover many research areas, including the description of new fungi, revisions of existing taxa, DNA barcoding, phylogenetic and morphological studies on evolution and relationships among taxa, methodologies for species delimitation, tools for identification, reports from underrepresented geographical regions, ecological studies, reconciliation of teleomorphic and anamorphic lineages, and related studies that bring focus to the class.  

Dr. Luis Quijada
Prof. Dr. Donald H. Pfister
Dr. Peter R. Johnston
Dr. James K. Mitchell
Guest Editors

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• biodiversity
• biology
• biogeography
• ecology
• evolution
• integrative taxonomy
• fungal barcoding
• phylogeny
• vital taxonomy
• fungal barcodes
• species concepts