XVI International Botanical Congess
Species of Melanospora are parasitic on or closely associated with other fungi. In the past Melanospora was placed in the Melanosporaceae of Sordariales, but our phylogenetic study of nuclear encoded SSU and LSU ribosomal DNA (rDNA) placed six species of Melanospora and several allies in Hypocreales, an order rich in mycoparasites. LSU rDNA phylogeny inferred six groups among 38 species in Hypocreales, designated as Bionectria, Claviceps, Hypocrea, Nectria, Niesslia, and Melanospora. Two species of Melanospora including the type were in the Nectria group, four Melanospora species and Sphaerodes compressa formed a distinct clade, and three other allies of Melanospora were closely related to or within the Claviceps, Hypcrea, and Nectria groups, respectively. The study argues for the reclassification of these taxa that previously were placed in the Sordariales.