Outline and divergence time of subkingdom Mucoromyceta: two new phyla, five new orders, six new families and seventy-three new species

Abstract

AbstractZygomycetes are phylogenetically early diverged, ecologically diverse, industrially valuable, agriculturally beneficial, and clinically pathogenic fungi. Although new phyla and subphyla have been constantly established to accommodate specific members and a subkingdom, Mucoromyceta, was erected to unite core zygomycetous fungi, their phylogenetic relationships have not been well resolved. Taking account of the information of monophyly and divergence time estimated from ITS and LSU rDNA sequences, the present study updates the classification framework of the subkingdom Mucoromyceta from the phylum down to the generic rank: six phyla (including two new phyla Endogonomycota and Umbelopsidomycota), eight classes, 15 orders (including five new orders Claroideoglomerales, Cunninghamellales, Lentamycetales, Phycomycetales and Syncephalastrales), 41 families (including six new families Circinellaceae, Gongronellaceae, Protomycocladaceae, Rhizomucoraceae, Syzygitaceae and Thermomucoraceae), and 121 genera. The taxonomic hierarchy was calibrated with estimated divergence times: phyla 810–639 Mya, classes 651–585 Mya, orders 570–400 Mya, and families 488–107 Mya. Along with this outline, 71 genera are annotated and 73 new species are described. In addition, three new combinations are proposed. In this paper, we update the taxonomic backbone of the subkingdom Mucoromyceta and reinforce its phylogeny. We also contribute numerous new taxa and enrich the diversity of Mucoromyceta.