Phylogenetic systematics of the Gigasporales

The classification, phylogeny, and evolutionary pathways of the Gigasporales are re-evaluated based on concomitant morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Only Cetraspora was not supported in the morphology-based tree, while Quatunica formed a monophyletic group with its sister genus Dentiscutata . Only a few taxa were not completely supported in the SSU rDNA phylogenetic analyses, namely Dentiscutata and Fuscutata ( Dentiscutataceae ) and Racocetra and Cetraspora ( Racocetraceae ). However, all trees generated by the LSU, SSU (rDNA), and β-tubulin genes supported the existence of the families with strong support for all genera represented in the LSU rDNA and β-tubulin analyses. In conclusion, the current classification of the Gigasporales has a strong morphological and molecular congruency.