Mycosphere Essays 12. Progress in the classification of the water-cooling tower ascomycete Savoryella and a tribute to John Savory: A review

Abstract

The genus Savoryella belongs in the family Savoryellaceae (Savoryellales, Hypocreomycetidae, Sordariomycetes) and its species have a worldwide distribution. A natural classification was not possible when the genus was introduced, since it predated molecular phylogenetic studies; therefore morphology-based descriptions only were provided. In this review we discuss the history and significance of the genus, illustrate its morphology and discuss its role in the colonization and biodeterioration of lignocellulosic materials. Molecular analyses of SSU, LSU and RPB2 sequence data placed the genus in the Hypocreomycetidae with high support and resulted in the introduction of the order Savoryellales. The role of Savoryella in the soft rot decay of wood is also discussed.