A review of the phylogeny and biology of the Diaporthales

The ascomycete order Diaporthales is reviewed based on recent phylogenetic data that outline the families and integrate related asexual fungi. The order now consists of nine families, one of which is newly recognized as Schizoparmeaceae fam. nov., and two families are recircumscribed. Schizoparmeaceae fam. nov., based on the genus Schizoparme with its anamorphic state Pilidella and including the related Coniella, is distinguished by the threelayered ascomatal wall and the basal pad from which the conidiogenous cells originate. Pseudovalsaceae is recognized in a restricted sense, and Sydowiellaceae is circumscribed more broadly than originally conceived. Many species in the Diaporthales are saprobes, although some are pathogenic on woody plants such as Cryphonectria parasitica, the cause of chestnut blight, and agricultural crops such as canker diseases of soybean and sunflower caused by species of Diaporthe-Phomopsis in both temperate and tropical regions. Members of the Diaporthales such as Apiognomonia-Discula and Diaporthe-Phomopsis are commonly encountered as endophytes of woody plants.