Sequencing of four non-pathogenic Onygenales species

The Ascomycete Onygenales order embraces a diverse group of mammalian pathogens, including the yeast-forming dimorphic fungal pathogens Histoplasma capsulatum, Paracoccidioides spp. and Blastomyces dermatitidis, the dermatophytes Microsporum spp. and Trichopyton spp., the spherule-forming dimorphic fungal pathogens in the genus Coccidioides, and many non-pathogens. Although genomes for all of the aforementioned pathogenic species are available, only one non-pathongen had been sequenced. Here, we add genomes for four non-pathogenic Onygenales species, all of which are more closely related to Coccidioides spp. than any other known Onygenales species. These genomes provide insight to gene family expansion/contraction and patterns of individual gene gain/loss in this diverse order – both major drivers of evolutionary change.