Introduction to Fungi, Third Edition

EUROTIALES
297
have gymnothecia with simpler appendages, or
these lack appendages altogether (Currah, 1985).
The taxonomic position of Myxotrichaceae is
uncertain, recent phylogenetic studies suggesting
an affinity with inoperculate discomycetes
(Helotiales; Tsuneda & Currah, 2004). Support for
this proposal comes from ecological surveys in
which Oidiodendron spp. as well as members of
the Helotiales have been isolated as mycorrhizal
symbionts of ericaceous plants (Berch et al.,
2002; Peterson et al., 2004; see also p. 442).
Since both the teleomorphs and anamorphs of
Myxotrichaceae are clearly referable to the
Onygenales, a connection with the Helotiales
would be surprising, rendering the concept of a
gymnothecium with evanescent asci one of the
most striking examples of convergent evolution
among the fungi (Greif & Currah, 2003).
11.4 Eurotiales
To the practical mycology student, the order
Eurotiales is among the most important groups
of fungi because it contains many ubiquitous and
readily recognized species, notably in the anamorphic
genera Aspergillus and Penicillium. Virtually
any environmental sample soil, water, rhizosphere,
air, and indoor or food contaminations
will yield viable spores. One important feature of
many species of Aspergillus and Penicillium is that
Fig11.10 Myxotrichum chartarum. (a) Thick layer
of gymnothecia on cardboard from a damp cellar.
(b) Gymnothecium with dark curved appendages.
Reprinted fromTribe and Weber (2002), with
permission from Elsevier.