Mycocladiaceae

Mycocladaceae was proposed by Hoffmann et al. (2007) and it was based on the thermotolerant species of Absidia that were transferred to Mycocladus The characteristics of the Mycocladaceae were based on the species of Mycocladus, in addition to M. verticellatus, that were in culture and had been transferred to the genus previously by Hoffmann et al. (2007). Mycocladaceae now is based on Mycocladus verticellatus (Beauverie, 1900), a monotypic genus, that may be based on a culture composed of Lentamyces parricida and an unidentified Absidia (Hoffmann et al., 2009). Mycocladus verticellatus, therefore, may not be a pure culture and may need to be considered an invalid taxon according to the ICBN (Art. 52.1; McNeill et al., 2006). The family name Mycocladaceae also may be invalid if the genus name proves not to be legitimate (Art. 18.3 of the ICBN; McNeill et al., 2006).

Numerous generic synonyms exist for Absidia sensu lato (Hesseltine and Ellis, 1964). Hoffmann et al. (2009) examined the Absidia synonyms, Pseudoabsidia Bainier (1903) and Lichtheimia Vuillemin (1903). Several thermotolerent Absidia species were examined by Hoffmann et al. (2007) including A. blakesleeana, A. corymbifera, A. hyalospora, and A. ramosa. Absidia corymbifera, a known causative agent of mucormycosis in humans, is the type species of Lichtheimia. The current name for these thermotolent Absidia-like fungi is Lichtheimia (Hoffmann et al., 2009).

Classification
Mycocladaceae K. Hoffm., S. Discher & K. Voigt, 2007 (Mycol. Res. 111: 1177).

Hyphae coenocytic, producing stolons and rhizoids, sporangiophores simple or branched, rarely uniseptate below the sporangium, arising from the stolons. Sporangia globose to obpiriform, apophystate, columellate, multispored.. Zygospores more or less globose, zygosporangia dark brown, smooth to more or less ornamented. Suspensors opposed, more or less equal, appendages lacking. Mesophilic, optimum 30 C, not growing above 40 C.

Type and only genus: Mycocladus Beauv..

Synopsis of the Genus

MYCOCLADUS Beauverie, 1900 (Ann. Univ. Lyon, sér. 2, 3:162); 1 sp. (Beauverie, 1900; Hoffmann et al., 2007).

Bibliography

Bainier, G. 1903. Sur quelques espèces de Mucorinées nouvelles ou peu connes. Bull. Soc. Mycol. France 19:153-172.

Beauverie, J. 1900. Mycocladus verticillatus (gen. nov. sp. nov.). Annales de l’université de Lyon, Séries 2, Sciences, Médicine 3:162-180.

Hesseltine, C.W., and J. J. Ellis. 1964. The genus Absidia: Gongronella and cylindrical-spored species of Absidia. Mycologia 56: 568-601.

Hoffmann, K., S. Discher and K. Voigt. 2007. Revision of the genus Absidia (Mucorales, Zygomycetes) based on physiological, phylogenetic, and morphological characters; thermotolerant Absidia spp. form a coherent group, Mycocladiaceae fam. nov. Mycological Research 111: 1169-1183.

Hoffmann, K., G. Walther, and K. Voigt. 2009. Mycocladus vs. Lichtheimia: a correction (Lichtheimiaceae fam. nov., Mucorales, Mucoromycotina). Mycol. Res. 113: 277-278.

McNeill, J., F.R. Barrie, H.M. Burdet, V. Demoulin, D.L. Hawksworth, K. Marhold, D.H. Nicolson, J. Prado, P.C. Silva, J.E. Skog, J.H. Wiersema and N.J. Turland. [eds.]. 2006. International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (Vienna Code). [Regnum Vegetabile Vol. 126]. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag KG, Ruggell, Liechtenstein. 568 p.

Vuillemin, P. 1903. Le genre Tieghemella et la série de Absidées. Bull. Soc. Mycol. France 19:119-127.

Updated May 31, 2010