Systematics of some Leptosphaeria and Phaeosphaeria species (Loculoascomycetes) based on morphological and molecular evidence

Leptosphaeria is one of the largest genera in the order Pleosporales, which itself includes the most complex array of organisms in the Loculoascomycetes. The initial description of Leptosphaeria was superficial and based on only a few characters. Due to this rudimentary circumscription many, often remotely related, taxa have been placed in this genus. In recent years, more thorough reexamination and taxonomic reassessment of many species of Leptosphaeria have resulted in their disposition in other allied genera, especially Phaeosphaeria. Currently, relatively few morphological characters, such as location of ascomata in relation to the substrate, thickness of peridium, type of peridial cells, and host are used to delimit these two genera. In each genus there are some species which do not show all the attributes typical for that genus. For instance, the placement of a fungus showing some states typical of Leptosphaeria, and some other states typical of Phaeosphaeria, would depend on the intuition of the individual mycologist. Compared to many plants and animals, this group of fungi is morphologically simple and doesn't offer many traits for classification or cladistic purposes. Moreover, many of these traits show considerable plasticity, and it is not known with any degree of certainty whether the observed variation has genetic or environmental underpinnings. As such, these fungi are prime candidates for analysis using an independent, non-morphological, data set.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Plant Biology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Khashnobish, Aruna

Contributors dc:contributor

• Shearer, Carol Anne

• Biology, Molecular
• Biology, Botany

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1995 Khashnobish, Aruna

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9543626
(UMI)AAI9543626

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/20898