Nystatinaceae

Nystatinaceae is a family of fungi belonging to the order Helotiales. This family was first described by the French mycologist Lucien Quélet in 1886. Members of Nystatinaceae are characterized by their small, cup-shaped or discoid fruiting bodies, which are often referred to as apothecia. These apothecia are typically borne on a substrate, such as decaying wood or leaf litter. Microscopically, the asci (spore-bearing cells) are usually cylindrical and contain eight ascospores. The family is distinguished by certain anatomical features of the apothecia and the morphology of its ascospores.

The ecological role of Nystatinaceae is primarily that of decomposers, playing a part in the breakdown of organic matter in forest ecosystems. While many species within the family are saprophytic, feeding on dead plant material, the exact trophic modes can vary. The taxonomy of Nystatinaceae has undergone revisions with advancements in molecular phylogenetic studies, which help to clarify evolutionary relationships between fungal groups. Currently, the family contains a limited number of genera, with ongoing research aiming to better define its species composition and phylogenetic boundaries. Identification of species within Nystatinaceae often relies on a combination of morphological characteristics and molecular data.