Abstract:
Members of the Asterinaceae and Parmulariaceae are obligate biotrophic fungi with a pantropical distribution
that grow in direct association with living plant tissues and produce external ascomata and bitunicate asci.
These fungi are poorly known, with limited information about their taxonomic position in the Dothideomycetes.
Much of what is known is conjectural and based on observation of morphological characters. An assessment of
the phylogenetic position of the Asterinaceae and Parmulariaceae is provided based on a phylogenetic analysis of
the nrDNA operon (ITS) and the large subunit rDNA (LSU) sequence data obtained from fresh material of selected
species collected in Brazil. Three key species were included and epitypified, namely Asterina melastomatis, which is
the type species for the type genus of the Asterinaceae; Prillieuxina baccharidincola (Asterinaceae); and Parmularia
styracis, which is the type species for the type genus of the Parmulariaceae. An LSU rDNA phylogenetic analysis
was performed indicating the correct phylogenetic placement of the Asterinales within the Dothideomycetes. From
this initial analysis it is clear that the Parmulariaceae as currently circumscribed is polyphyletic, and that the Asterinaceae
and Parmulariaceae are related, which justifies the maintenance of the order Asterinales. Asterotexis
cucurbitacearum is recognised as distinct from other Dothideomycetes and placed in the newly proposed family
and order (Asterotexiaceae, Asterotexiales), while the higher order phylogeny of Inocyclus angularis remains unresolved.
Additionally, Lembosia abaxialis is introduced as a novel species and the phylogenetic placement of the
genera Batistinula and Prillieuxina is clarified.
