Biodiv Sci ›› 2017, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (8): 874-885.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2016314

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Systematics and species diversity of botryosphaeriaceous fungi

Wenying Li1,2,3,*(), Xia Li1, Kaizhi Xie1, Wangqiu Deng2, Wenying Zhuang3   

  1. 1 Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer in South Region, Ministry of Agriculture/Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nutrient Cycling and Farmland Conservation, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640
    2 State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou 510070
    3 State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101
  • Received:2017-07-25 Accepted:2017-08-15 Online:2017-08-20 Published:2017-08-31
  • Contact: Li Wenying
  • About author:# Co-first authors

Abstract:

Botryosphaeriaceous fungi are an important ascomycete group (Botryosphaeriales, Dothideomycetes, Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota). They play essential roles in economic and ecological environments, especially in agroforestry ecosystems. In this overview, we introduce a wide variety of ecological functions of botryosphaeriaceous fungi. The taxonomic studies of the family Botryosphaeriaceae in its early stages have been reviewed in details since 1823, especially the two major classification systems proposed by von Arx & Müller and Barr. The research status, progress based on holomorphological characteristics and multilocus DNA sequence data are summarized towards updating our understanding of species diversity and classification systems of the group. In addition, the research history, current status and work to be done of the group in China are briefly stated. Problems regarding biodiversity and phylogeny are discussed. Research perspectives are proposed based on taxonomic features, species concepts and exploration of bioresources. This review is expected to provide useful information about effective utilization of fungal resources and control of the harmful effects of botryosphaeriaceous fungi.

Key words: Botryosphaeriales, Botryosphaeriaceae, systematic, biodiversity, phylogeny