Amphisphaeriaceae

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Amphisphaeriaceae

Pelotia fungi, a species of Amphisphaeriaceae

Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Ascomycota
Class:	Ascomycetes
Order:	Xylariales
Family:	Amphisphaeriaceae

Amphisphaeriaceae is a family of fungi that is mainly found in parts of New Zealand, South America, Asia and parts of Europe. It includes only 36 known genera, and has over 23 rejected synonyms, including "Amphispaerieae".

[edit] Origins and controversies

This family of fungi was established as Amphispaerieae to contain the previously unclassified genera Caryospora, Strickeria, Ohleria, and Amphisphaeria, among others. However, the name was forgotten over time. In 1964, the name was reintroduced as the current Amphisphaeriaceae, and genera such as Apiorynchostoma, and again, Amphisphaeria. There was plenty of controversy about which order the Amphisphaeriaceae should be placed in. In 1973, Amphisphaeriaceae was placed under the Order Sphaeriales (and some sources still classify it as such).In 1983, however,Amphisphaeriaceae was placed in under the Order Amphisphaeriales, along with Cainiaceae, and Hyponectriaceae. After much study, however, Cainiaceae was merged with Amphisphaeriaceae, and were considered Xylariaceous. Because of this, Amphisphaeriaceae was officially placed in the Order Xylariales in 1993.

[edit] Current status

At present, Amphisphaeriaceae is a large, complicated family of ascomycetes. The asciare cylindrical or club-shaped, and they have a simple top ring that is amyloid (starchy), or sometimes nonamyloid. A problem with Amphisphaeriaceae is that many of its genera have not been linked to anamorphs.

Leaf affected with Monochaetia fungi, a genus of Amphisphaeriaceae

Many fungi that are part of the family are fatal to plants, causing them to die. In fact, several genera of Amphisphaeriaceae have been listed as invasive species.