Lentimurisporaceae, a New Pleosporalean Family with Divergence Times Estimates

Abstract The new hyphomycetous genus Lentimurispora, based on L. urniformis sp. nov. collected from decaying wood in Phayao, Thailand, is introduced. It is characterized by micronematous conidiophores, monoblastic conidiogenous cells, and muriform, lenticular conidia with dark brown central cells and paler peripheral cells. Phylogenetic analysis based on the combined LSU, SSU and TEF1α sequences data of 110 taxa was carried out to infrer their phylogenetic relationships. The new genus formed a well-supported monophyletic clade with Bahusandhika indica, Berkleasmium micronesicum and Be. nigroapicale within Pleosporales. A new family, Lentimurisporaceae is established to accommodate this clade. Divergence times establishment was performed and the results showed that the new family was diverged approximately 78 (49–118) MYA.