Molecular systematics of Geoglossomycetes: genus and species concepts

The class Geoglossomycetes (Ascomycota), commonly referred to as “earth tongues,” is currently comprised of one family (Geoglossaceae) and six genera (Geoglossum, Glutinoglossum, Nothomitra, Sabuloglossum, Sarcoleotia, and Trichoglossum). Published estimates of species diversity have been mostly local, with global estimates approaching 60 distinct species. Ongoing molecular phylogenetic research indicates that cryptic genera and species, previously unrecognized due to subtle morphological differences and lack of molecular evidence, are widely distributed throughout the class. Species and genus concepts in Geoglossomycetes were investigated using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses of multi-gene sequence alignments (ITS, LSU, MCM7, RPB1) and morphological character state evolution. This presentation will examine the latest results of our attempt at a modern species-level phylogeny of Geoglossomycetes. Preliminary results support the description of several previously undescsribed species in the genus Glutinoglossum and two putatively new genera in Geoglossomycetes.