Myciliaceae

Myciliaceae is a family of fungi within the phylum Basidiomycota. The circumscription of the group has shifted over time, and with advances in molecular phylogenetics its status remains unsettled in many contemporary classifications. Some taxonomic treatments recognize Myciliaceae as a distinct lineage within the class Agaricomycetes, while others treat the family as obsolete or as a synonym of other families, placing its genera elsewhere in Basidiomycota.

Historically, the family has included only a small number of genera, and the exact composition has varied among authorities. Because of this unstable taxonomy, reliable identification is typically based on a combination of molecular data and morphological characteristics, rather than on a single defining feature.

Ecologically, species associated with Myciliaceae are generally considered to be saprotrophic, contributing to the breakdown of plant material in forest ecosystems. The fruit bodies, when present, tend to be small to medium-sized basidiocarps that occur on wood, litter, or soil, though the morphological diversity across proposed members can be broad.

Distribution records have appeared from several biogeographic regions, including temperate and tropical areas. Ongoing molecular studies and taxonomic reviews continue to refine the circumscription and content of this group, and the status of Myciliaceae as a valid family may change as new data emerge. In the meantime, researchers typically consult multiple sources to understand current consensus on which genera are included and how they relate to other Basidiomycota lineages.