Polypores play a vital role in various forest ecosystems, yet their global biodiversity and distribution patterns have not been adequately studied. In this study, we compiled a comprehensive checklist of polypores using reliable databases and literature records, and then conducted in-depth analyses. A total of 4,026 polypore species was accepted, belonging to 11 orders, 60 families, and 368 genera within the class Agaricomycetes. Among the 11 orders (60 families), Polyporales (Polyporaceae) and Hymenochaetales (Hymenochaetaceae) have the highest number of species. Among six continents, Asia has the highest species number, while Oceania has the lowest number of species recorded. Although the tropical zone has the highest number of species, the temperate zone contains a greater number of orders, families, and genera. White rot fungi are primarily concentrated in the tropical zone, while brown rot fungi and mycorrhizal fungi are mainly distributed in the temperate zone. Biblio-metric analyses revealed three distinct groups centered around the keywords of “new species” and “phylogenetic analysis”, “activity” and “compound”, and “forest” and “species diversity”. Overall, our preliminary investigation into the species richness and distribution patterns of polypores has laid a solid foundation for resource development and conservation.

Abstract Yunnan Province is located in southwestern China, at the core and intersection of the “Himalaya”, “Indo-Burma” and “Mountains of Southwest China” biodiversity hotspots. It is the most biodiverse province in China, acting as a major center for the origin and diversification of numerous species, and of which lignicolous freshwater fungi are one of the rich bioresources. As a part of our ongoing studies on freshwater fungi in Yunnan Province China, we collected lignicolous freshwater ascomycetes from Yunnan plateau lakes, combining morphological characteristics and multi-gene phylogenetic analysis (including, ITS, LSU, SSU, tef 1-α, tub 2 and rpb 2) to identify the species and reveal their phylogenetic placement. A total of 293 freshwater ascomycetes were collected, and through rigorous analysis, 126 species were identified, spanning three classes, 24 orders, 39 families, and 70 genera. Most of these fungi belong to Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes , with a few of Eurotiomycetes . Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we introduce two new genera, Neomoromyces and Rostraeuseptisporum , and 40 new species, viz . , Apiospora fuxianhuensis , A. lacustris , Atractospora hydei , Chaetopsina hydei , C. septata , Chloridium hydei , Ch. yunnanense , Dematiosporium hydei , D. muriforme , Dictyocheirospora yunnanensis , Distoseptispora dujuanhuensis , Di. hongheensis , Di. jingdongensis , Halobyssothecium hydei , Hongkongmyces hydei , Kirschsteiniothelia hydei , Mytilinidion hydei , Neomoromyces hydei , Obliquifusoideum hydei , Ophioceras yunnanense , Plagiascoma hydei , Pseudodactylaria lacustris , Pseudostanjehughesia hydei , Rostraeuseptisporum hydei , Sporidesmiella dujuanhuensis , S. guttulata , S. hongheensis , S. hydei , S. lacustris , Sporidesmium dianchiense , Sp. distoseptatum , Sp. dujuanhuense , Sp. hongheense , Sp. lacustris , Sp. kunmingense , Sp. yangzonghaiense , Sp. yilonghuense , Thysanorea hydei , Tetraploa verrucosa , Xylolentia hydei . Detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations of these species are provided, along with a discussion of their phylogenetic relationships and distinctive morphological characters. Furthermore, five new combinations are introduced, viz . , Pseudodactylaria flammulicornuta (≡ Dodactylaria flammulicornuta ), P. palmae (≡ Do. palmae ), P. tunicata (≡ Do. tunicata ), P. uliginicola (≡ Do. uliginicola ) and Pseudostanjehughesia verrucosa (≡ Ceratosporium verrucosum ). Based on molecular sequence data and morphological characteristics, Dictyocheirospora aquadulcis and Dic. lithocarpi have been synonymized with Dic. heptaspora , Dic. alangii synonymized with Dic. appendiculata ; Dictyosporium lakefuxianense synonymized with Pseudodictyosporium wauense , Distoseptispora nanchangensis synonymized with Distoseptispora aquatica , Chaetopsina beijingensis synonymized with Ch. fulva . Ten new geographical records are reported in China and 10 species are first reported from freshwater habitats, and 6 species are newly reported both from China and from freshwater habitats. This study fills a gap in the research on fungal diversity in Yunnan Province, and improves our understanding of their ecological roles in freshwater ecosystems. Phylogenetic analysis provides a reliable molecular framework for the classification of lignicolous freshwater fungi, supporting the reassessment of fungal taxonomy and ensuring a more objective and evolutionarily natural classification of species. This work is dedicated to Professor Kevin D. Hyde on his 70th birthday, in recognition of his lifetime contributions to mycology and his extensive research and training of students. His wide-ranging work on freshwater fungi is highlighted in this paper.

Abstract The fungal order Botryosphaeriales includes numerous ecologically and economically important plant-associated taxa, yet its genomic diversity and evolutionary mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we present high-quality de novo genome assemblies for three representative species— Botryosphaeria dothidea , Neofusicoccum parvum , and Phyllosticta capitalensis —and perform integrative analyses using comparative genomics, population genetics, and pan-genome frameworks. Pathogenic species ( B. dothidea and N. parvum ) exhibit significant expansions in gene families related to membrane transport and metabolism, suggesting enhanced adaptability and virulence potential. Selective sweep analyses highlight population-level divergence in metabolic and stress-response pathways, reflecting natural selection in host and environmental adaptation. Cross-species pan-genome comparisons of six Phyllosticta species reveal a conserved core genome, dynamic gene family turnover, and extensive horizontal gene transfer from bacterial, and archaeal sources—potentially driving ecological diversification. Furthermore, effector proteins display striking domain variation across genera, particularly in regions associated with host cell wall targeting, indicating convergent strategies for host adaptation. Together, these findings provide comprehensive insights into the genomic evolution, adaptation, and virulence mechanisms of Botryosphaeriales fungi, laying a foundation for future studies on plant–fungal interactions.