![Diatrype disciformis stroma with numerous ostioles](/public/Diadis1/Diadis1.jpg;jsessionid=DB380E42E6E1F8E8C4E06581E2467310)
Diatrype disciformis (Ascomycota, Xylariales, Diatrypaceae) is the type species of a genus of predominantly saprophytic fungi that are common on decaying angiosperms. This species produces perithecia immersed in well-developed stroma with numerous ostioles discernible on the surface through which the ascospores are released. This crust fungus is common on dead beech throughout Europe where it is known as beech barkspot. The available molecular phylogenetic data suggests that Diatrype as currently circumscribed may not be monophyletic (de Almeida et al. 2016, Thiyagaraja et al. 2019). An annotated standard draft of the whole genome of NRRL 26140 D. disciformis was sequenced by the Joint Genome Institute as part of the 1000 Fungal Genomes Project, which will provide additional insight into the evolution of ascomycetous fungi.
References
- De Almeida, DAC, Gusmão LFP, Miller AN. 2016. Taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of Diatrypaceae (Ascomycota, Xylariales) species from the Brazilian semi-arid region, including four new species. Mycological Progress 15:53.
- Thiyagaraja V, Senanayake IC, Wanasinghe DN, Karunarathna SC, Worthy FR, To-Anun C. 2019. Phylogenetic and morphological appraisal of Diatrype lijiangensis sp. nov. (Diatrypaceae, Xylariales) from China. Asian Journal of Mycology 2:198─208.