A new 18S rRNA phylogeny of uncultured predacious fungi (Zoopagales)

ABSTRACTPrevious molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that families in Zoopagales are not monophyletic. To test the monophyly of genera and species in the order, we used a single-cell approach to generate nuclear 18S rRNA (18S) sequences for 10 isolates representing nine taxa. We provide the first sequences for the genus Zoopageand additional sequences for taxa in Cocholonema, Acaulopage, and Zoophagus. Our results reveal that Zoophagus, Zoopage, and Acaulopage tetracerosare not monophyletic. We conclude that morphology alone is not sufficient to delineate genera and species in the order and encourage studies that increase genetic sampling of taxa including type species.