Phylogenetic studies in Gomphaceae sensu lato (Basidiomycetes)

Phylogenetic relationships in Gomphaceae sensu late were investigated. This has been a taxonomically difficult group of macroscopic fungi because of their heterogeneous external morphology, despite similarities in their microscopic features. Thirty-nine morphological characters wee studied in nineteen species from ten genera. Five additional taxa represented the outgroups. A monophyletic group is circumscribed to include the genera Gomphus, Gloeocantharellus, Kavinia, Beenakia, Ramaricium, Ramaria and Lentaria. This monophyletic group is supported by a homoplasic synapomorphy (presence of mycelial cords). This clade was consistent under different combinations of outgroups and different character weightings and was assigned a family level. We propose the order Gomphales to include four families: Gomphaceae, Beenakiaceae, Ramariaceae and Lentariaceae. There is no resolution regarding which genus among potential outgroups is the sister group of the seven genera.