LAUSR

Micropeltidaceae species are flyspeck fungi which have been subjected to few systematic studies. We re-examined 27 genera which were accepted in the Micropeltidaceae and re-described them based on herbaria materials and protologues. Based on morphology and phylogenetic investigations, we transfer Micropeltidaceae to a new order, Micropeltidales (Lecanoromycetes). Genera with bluish or greenish upper walls (Dictyopeltella, Dictyothyriella, Dictyothyrina, Dictyothyrium, Haplopeltheca, Micropeltis, Scolecopeltidium and Stomiopeltopsis) are accepted in the new taxonomic concept for Micropeltidaceae. A molecular clock approach estimated the divergence time of the Micropeltidaceae crown group at 130 (165–104) Mya, which also supports its rank as an order (diverging from 220–100 Mya). The evolutionary histories between Micropeltidaceae species and host plants are interpreted by cophylogenetic analyses calibrated by their divergence times. The result indicates that the diversification of Angiospermae (130–80 Mya) fosters the formation of genera of Micropeltidaceae mainly via cospeciation events, and this codivergent period would be an important reference when establishing generic boundaries of epifoliar fungi.