Molecular Phylogenies: Coming soon, molecular data from the nuSSU, nuLSU, TEF1 & RPB2 nuclear loci. Questions addressed: Will DNA & protein sequence data confirm or negate previous classifications based on morphological character states related to: (1) peridial wall thickness; (2) centrum development; (3) pseudoparaphyses type (i.e., cellular pseudoparaphyses in the Hysteriaceae versus the trabeculate type in the Mytilinidiaceae); and (4) ascocpore symmetry? Will genera, previously defined by ascospore septation and pigmentation patterns form monophyletic groups or will the molelcular data show them to be heterogenous entities? Are morphological character states in these two families synapomorphies, as previously assumed, or will they constitute plesiomorphies that emerge in unrelated groups? If change does occur, how will this affect the classification of hysteriaceous fungi? If the latter, what kinds of selective pressures may be operative to drive convergent evolution in these two families? Stay tuned...