A re-evaluation of the evolutionary relationships within the Xylariaceae based on ribosomal and protein-coding gene sequences

Previous phylogenetic analyses of the Xylariaceae have mostly utilized ITS-5.8S gene sequences and there is no multi-gene study that have addressed evolutionary relationships. We conducted phylogenetic analyses with separate and combined sequences of ITS-5.8S rDNA, LSU rDNA, RPB2 and b-tubulin genes to re-evaluate the generic relationships within the Xylariaceae. All phylogenies inferred from individual and combined datasets suggest that Xylariaceae has two main lineages, namely Hypoxyloideae and Xylarioideae. This result is generally concordant with taxon chemotaxonomy and anamorph characters. The phylogenetic position and relationship of Biscogniauxia and Camillea with other xylariaceous genera are still obscure as they nested together and form a separate lineage. The phylogenetic significance of morphological affinities within Hypoxyloideae and Xylarioideae are discussed and phylogenetic positions of selected genera are re-evaluated.