rot (e.g.,Anomoloma,Irpicodon,Plicaturopsis).
Hypochniciellum molle(Leucogyrophana mol-
lis) is of economic importance as a causal agent
of brown rot in timber (Mattsson et al. 2010 ;
Niemela ̈et al. 2007 ). The decay strategy ofSer-
pulomyceshas not been studied in detail. ECM
forms are seemingly absent in Amylocorti-
ciales, but it has been suggested thatAnomo-
loma flavissimumandPodoserpula pusiomay
represent transitions to ECM symbioses
(Bougher and Syme 1998 ; Niemela ̈et al. 2007 ).
“Athelia” rolfsii(anamorphSclerotium rolfsii)
is a serious soilborne pathogen, also known as
Southern blight, that infects more than 500
plant species, including peanut, potato, and
tomato (Punja 1985 ).
Systematics: Amylocorticiaceae Ju ̈lich is
the single family in Amylocorticiales to date,
and a major taxonomic revision on the generic
level is needed. Amyloathelia crassiuscula,
Amyloxenasma allantosporum, Anomoporia
kamtschatica,Athelia rolfsii,Athelopsis lacer-
ata, Leptosporomyces septentrionalis, and
Hypochniciellum molleare distinct lineages in
Amylocorticiales, but they do not represent the
generic types.
- Boletales
Overview: Boletales E.-J. Gilbert is one of the
larger orders of fleshy Agaricomycetes, includ-
ing 17 families, 88 genera, and roughly 1,400
species (Binder and Hibbett 2006 ; Kirk et al.
2008 ). The typical fruiting body of a bolete is
pileate-stipitate with a tubular (e.g.,Boletus,
Suillus) (Fig.14.9e) or sometimes gilled hyme-
nophore (Paxillus, Phylloporus). Gasteroid
forms (Scleroderma, Rhizopogon, Astraeus)
have evolved several times independently
from this morphology (Binder and Bresinsky
2002 ; Binder and Hibbett 2006 ; Bruns et al.
1989 ; Thiers 1984 ; Wilson et al. 2011 ). Roughly
77 % of the described species produce pileate-
stipitate fruiting bodies (Binder et al. 2010 ). In
addition, there are resupinate forms with
smooth or warted (Coniophora, Serpula)
(Fig.14.9f), merulioid (Leucogyrophana), and
toothed (Gyrodontium) hymenophores, and it
has been suggested that pileate-stipitate fungi
with gilled hymenophores, such asTapinellaor
Hygrophoropsis, have evolved at least five times
from resupinate ancestors (Binder et al. 2005 ,
2010 ).Bondarcevomyces taxiis the only species
developing polyporelike basidiocarps (Larsson
2007b), but no coralloid or clavarioid forms are
known in the order. The fruiting bodies of
Boletales are specifically attacked by the asco-
mycete anamorph genus Sepedonium(teleo-
morph Hypomyces), suggesting some degree
of coevolution between parasites and hosts
(Douhan and Rizzo 2003 ; Sahr et al. 1999 ).
The morphological charactersof Boletales
have been studied intensively (Agerer 1999 ;
Arpin and Ku ̈hner 1977 ; Both 1993 ; Corner
1972 ; Horak 2004 , 2011 ; Moser 1983 ; Pegler
and Young 1981 ; Singer 1986 ; Smith and Thiers
1971 ; Watling 1970 ), but there is no synapo-
morphic trait for the order as a whole. Boletales
species produce unique pigments and colorless
compounds during secondary metabolism, and
the terphenyl quinone atromentin plays an
essential role as building block for the synthesis
of derivatives, including pulvinic acids (e.g.,
variegatic acid and xerocomic acid), cyclopen-
tenones, grevillins, and other substances (Besl
and Bresinsky 1977 , 1997 ; Besl et al. 1986 ;
Bresinsky 1974 ; Bresinsky and Orendi 1970 ;
Gill and Steglich 1987 ). An atromentin pathway
has evolved independently in Thelephorales,
but it produces only simple terphenyl
quinones, not the structurally more complex
pigments (Besl and Bresinsky 1997 ).
Ecological diversity: members of Boletales
have a worldwide distribution in forest ecosys-
tems, with biodiversity hot spots in Southeast
Asia and North America (Corner 1972 ; Singer
1965 ; Smith and Thiers 1971 ). The major nutri-
tional modes of Boletales include brown-rot
saprotrophy, ECM symbioses, and mycopara-
sitism; biotrophic plant pathogens and white-
rot fungi are not known (Binder and Hibbett
2006 ). It has been suggested that brown rot is
the ancestral lifestyle of Boletales, having a sin-
gle evolutionary origin in the early branching
lineages (Binder and Hibbett 2006 ). Based on
the unique capability of brown-rot-producing
Boletales to selectively depolymerize micro-
crystalline cellulose, which weakens the
strength of wood, this form of wood decay hasAgaricomycetes 407