Tree alignment-Dothideomycetes

Pteridophytes are iconic symbols of the Earth's rich biodiversity and are associated with a myriad of fungal communities. In this study, an investigation on saprobic fungi associated with pteridophytes in China has identified several fascinating taxonomic groups within <i>Dothideomycetes</i>. A polyphasic approach based on morphology, along with multi-gene phylogenetic analysis using combined LSU, <i>RPB2</i>, SSU and <i>tef1-α</i> sequence data as well as divergence time estimates, has revealed nine new collections representing five species in <i>Pleosporales</i> and five new collections representing two species in <i>Muyocopronales</i>.<i> </i>Consequently,<i> </i>six new genera (<i>Cyatheomyces</i>, <i>Microlepicola</i>,<i> Neoberkleasmium</i>,<i> Pseudopalawaniella</i>,<i> </i><i>Synnematospora</i><i> </i>and<i> </i><i>Xenopleopunctum</i>), six new species (<i>Cyatheomyces synnematosus</i>, <i>Microlepicola</i> <i>guizhouensis</i>,<i> </i><i>Pseudopalawaniella woodwardiae</i>,<i> Synnematospora pronephrii</i>,<i> </i><i>Xenopleopunctum guizhouense</i> and<i> X</i>.<i> sporodochiale</i>) and<i> </i>five new combinations, <i>viz</i>., <i>Neoberkleasmium</i><i> </i><i>micronesiacum</i><i> </i>(º <i>Berkleasmium</i> <i>micronesiacum</i>), <i>N</i>.<i> </i><i>nigroapicale</i><i> </i>(º <i>B</i>.<i> </i><i>nigroapicale</i>), <i>Xenoberkleasmium crinisium</i><i> </i>(º <i>B</i>.<i> </i><i>crunisia</i>), <i>X</i>. <i>pandani</i><i> </i>(º <i>B</i>. <i>pandani</i>), <i>X</i>. <i>typhae</i><i> </i>(º <i>B</i>.<i> </i><i>typhae</i>), are proposed, along with a designated reference specimen for <i>Xenoberkleasmium</i> <i>pandani</i>. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis reveals that four species of <i>Xenoberkleasmium</i> form a distinct lineage within <i>Pleosporales</i>, and they are evolving in a newly proposed family, <i>Xenoberkleasmiaceae</i>. This lineage estimates approximately 38 MYA (crown age) and 96 MYA (stem age), supporting the establishment of the new family. Detailed morphological descriptions and phylogenetic tree revealing taxonomic placements of these new taxa are provided, as well as the analysis of divergence time estimates.