The Dothideales are an order

Order (biology)

In scientific classification used in biology, the order is# a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus, and species, with order fitting in between class and family...

 of lichen

Lichen

Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...

ous fungi.

Description

Taxa in this order are characterized by the absence of a hamathecium (defined as hyphae or other tissues between asci

Ascus

An ascus is the sexual spore-bearing cell produced in ascomycete fungi. On average, asci normally contain eight ascospores, produced by a meiotic cell division followed, in most species, by a mitotic cell division. However, asci in some genera or species can number one , two, four, or multiples...

) in a locule

Locule

A locule is a small cavity or compartment within an organ or part of an organism ....

, and formation of ovoid to cylindrical fisstunicate asci (asci that have two wall layers that split at maturity in a Jack-in-the-box

Jack-in-the-box

A jack-in-the-box is a children's toy that outwardly consists of a box with a crank. When the crank is turned, it plays a melody, often "Pop Goes the Weasel". At the end of the tune there is a "surprise", the lid pops open and a figure, usually a clown or jester, pops out of the box...

-like fashion), usually in bundles or cluster called fascicles. During development, the asci push through the stromatic tissue, creating the locules.

Classification

Until 2001, this order was thought to contain five families: Botryosphaeriaceae

Botryosphaeriaceae

The Botryosphaeriaceae are a family of sac fungi. It is the only representative of the order Botryosphaeriales. According to a 2008 estimate, the family contains 26 genera and over 1500...

, Coccoidiaceae, Doditheaceae, Dothioraceae

Dothioraceae

The Dothioraceae are a family of fungi in the order Dothideales. Species in this family have a widespread distribution, and are biotrophic or necrotrophic, usually associated with woody plants.-External links:*...

, and the Planistromellaceae

Planistromellaceae

The Planistromellaceae are a family of fungi with an uncertain taxonomic placement in the class Dothideomycetes.-External links:*...

. 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) 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

Incertae sedis

, is a term used to define a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Uncertainty at specific taxonomic levels is attributed by , , and similar terms.-Examples:*The fossil plant Paradinandra suecica could not be assigned to any...

, respectively, pending the acquisition and analysis of additional molecular data.