Phylogeny of Pilobolaceae

Abstract

The three genera traditionally classified as Pilobolaceae have been identified on the basis of morphological characteristics. In the absence of distinctive morphological differences phylogenetic techniques have proven to be superior for developing phylogenies. Molecular techniques have been used primarily for studies of higher fungi; there are few investigations of the Zygomycota using genetic sequences for classification. DNA sequences coding for three regions of rRNA were used to investigate phylogenetic relationships of the three genera traditionally considered within the Pilobolaceae. Evidence indicates that Pilaira should be removed from Pilobolaceae and the family redescribed. Sporangiospore size is the morphological characteristic that most closely correlates with rDNA clades of phylogenetic trees. This study demonstrates that traditional morphological characteristics alone are not adequate to differentiate species of Pilobolus.