Fungalpedia – Note 2076, Ligninsphaeriaceae
Ligninsphaeriaceae J. F. Zhang, J. K. Liu & Z. Y. Liu
Citation when using this data: Hongsanan S et al. 2020 – Fungalpedia, Ascomycota.
Index Fungorum, Facesoffungi, MycoBank, GenBank.
Classification: Pleosporales, Pleosporomycetidae, Dothideomycetes, Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota, Fungi
Saprobic on decaying bamboo or submerged wood in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Sexual morph: Ascomata scattered, solitary, immersed under the host tissue, black, subglobose or obpyriform, clypeate. Ostiole central, with a crest-like opening. Peridium coriaceous to carbonaceous, composed of dark brown to pale or hyaline cells arranged in textura angularis. Hamathecium comprising numerous, filiform, cellular pseudoparaphyses, embedded in a gelatinous matrix. Asci 8-spored, broad-clavate, bitunicate, fissitunicate, apically rounded with a distinct ocular chamber and a tapering, short pedicel. Ascospores 3–4-seriate, broad-fusiform, hyaline to brown, uni- or multi-septate, forming appendages in both ends. Asexual morph: Undetermined.
Notes: An independent lineage was formed and introduced as Ligninsphaeria within Pleosporales based on morphological and molecular evidence (Zhang et al. 2016c). We formally introduce the new family Ligninsphaeriaceae to accommodate the monotypic genus Ligninsphaeria. Ligninsphaeria is easily distinguished from other related groups in Pleosporales based on remarkable characteristics and molecular analysis, but more collections of this group are needed to provide informative data to show its natural classification.
Type genus: Ligninsphaeria J.F. Zhang, J.K. Liu, K.D. Hyde & Z.Y. Liu.
References
Entry by
Sinang Hongsanan, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, People’s Republic of China, Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50002, Thailand
Published online 25 March 2026