Hyaloriaceae


The Hyaloriaceae are a family of fungi in the order Auriculariales. Species within the family have gelatinous basidiocarps that produce spores on septate basidia and, as such, were formerly referred to the "heterobasidiomycetes" or "jelly fungi". All appear to be saprotrophic, growing on dead wood or plant remains. Less than 10 species are currently included within the Hyaloriaceae, but the family has not been extensively researched.

Taxonomy

History

The family was established in 1900 by German mycologist Gustav Lindau to accommodate a single, neotropical species, Hyaloria pilacre. Lindau considered his new family to be close to the Tremellaceae, but distinguished by the "angiocarpous" or gasteroid development of its fruit bodies. The Hyaloriaceae were placed within the order Tremellales by most subsequent authors, until 1984, when American mycologist Robert Bandoni revised this group of fungi and placed the family within the Auriculariales. Wells later extended the Hyaloriaceae to include other genera with "myxarioid" basidia, previously placed in the Aporpiaceae or Myxariaceae.

Current status

Initial molecular research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences, has supported the placement of the Hyaloriaceae within the Auriculariales and has also supported Wells' placement of the genus Myxarium within the family, though other genera with "myxarioid" basidia are not included. The anamorphic species, Helicomyxa everhartioides, has also been shown to belong within the Hyaloriaceae.

Description

Species within the Hyaloriaceae form gelatinous fruit bodies that are pustular, lobed, or effused or resemble miniature puffballs. Microscopically, all possess "myxarioid" basidia.

Distribution and habitat

Species appear to be saprotrophic, growing on dead wood or plant remains. Their distribution is cosmopolitan.