Diatrypales

Diatrypales is an order of fungi that belongs to the class Sordariomycetes. These fungi are characterized by their ascomata, which are typically stromatic and often difficult to distinguish from the host tissue. The stroma is a hardened mass of fungal hyphae that encloses the perithecia, the structures where spores are produced. Diatrypales species are predominantly found on woody substrates, particularly bark and dead wood of deciduous trees. They are saprobic, meaning they obtain nutrients from dead organic matter, playing a role in decomposition. Some species can also be weakly parasitic. The conidial state (asexual reproduction) of many Diatrypales is often described as a hyphomycete. Their taxonomic placement has historically been debated, but molecular phylogenetic studies have solidified their position within Sordariomycetes. Common genera within this order include Diatrype, Eutypella, and Cryptospora. Identifying species within Diatrypales often relies on detailed examination of the stroma morphology, perithecial characteristics, and spore features. They are found worldwide in temperate and tropical regions.