Dothideales

Taxa in this order are characterized by the absence of a hamathecium (defined as hyphae or other tissues between asci) in a locule, and formation of ovoid to cylindrical fisstunicate asci (asci that have two wall layers that split at maturity in a Jack-in-the-box-like fashion), usually in bundles or cluster called fascicles. During development, the asci push through the stromatic tissue, creating the locules.[1]

Until 2001, this order was thought to contain five families: Botryosphaeriaceae, Coccoidiaceae, Doditheaceae, Dothioraceae, and the Planistromellaceae.[2] Several molecular phylogenetic studies since that time have resulted in an organization restructuring of classification. In the most recent revision of Ascomycota classification (December 31, 2007)[3] the Dothideales contains two families, the Dothidiaceae and the Dothioraceae. The Botryosphaeriaceae (order Botryosphaeriales) and the Planistromellaceae have been moved to order and family incertae sedis, respectively, pending the acquisition and analysis of additional molecular data.