Torda Varga

Introduction Historical collections have been the basis for scientific advances since the nineteenth century, including the discovery of new species to phylogenetics and biogeography studies (Funk, 2018). Biodiversity and evolutionary studies tackling current global challenges, including biodiversity loss, have gained insight from organism-based historical collections such as herbaria for plants and fungaria for fungi (Funk, 2018).

Abstract Mushroom-forming fungi (Agaricomycetes) represent one of the most speciose and morphologically diverse life forms, which radiated into most niches on Earth and evolved diverse morphologies and life histories. The order Hymenochaetales comprises a species-rich group of important wood decayers and tree parasites, however, patterns of macroevolution across the order and thus the origins of key traits, such as pathogenicity are currently unknown.

Significance The Agaricomycetes is a conspicuous and successful group of Fungi, containing ∼36,000 described species. The group presents striking diversity in fruiting bodies, including those with a pileus (cap) and stipe (stalk), puffballs, coral fungi, crust-like forms, etc. Agaricomycetes also comprise ecologically diverse species, including decayers, mycorrhizal symbionts, and pathogens.