Amorphothecaceae

Amorphothecaceae is a family of fungi belonging to the order Hypocreales. These fungi are typically saprobic, meaning they obtain nutrients from dead organic matter, though some species may be weakly parasitic. The family is characterized by its asci, which are often club-shaped or cylindrical, and typically contain numerous ascospores. These ascospores are usually hyaline and filiform or acicular in shape. The anamorphs (asexual reproductive stages) of Amorphothecaceae species are diverse and can be hyphomycetes or coelomycetes. Morphological features of the conidiophores and conidia are important for species identification within the family. This family has a global distribution and is found in various habitats, including soil, decaying wood, and dung. Research into the phylogenetic relationships of Amorphothecaceae has relied on both morphological and molecular data, contributing to a better understanding of its taxonomic placement within the Hypocreales. While not extensively studied for economic or medicinal purposes, some species may play a role in decomposition processes.