“…Few have been revised or studied in culture, and molecular phylogenetic data for certain groups have only recently become available (Collado et al 2002, Gernandt et al 2001, Verkley 1999, Abeln et al 2000, Crous et al 2003. The taxonomy of the inoperculate discomycetes is far from settled, and mycologists have used light microscopy to study ascal morphology with refined methods as a possible source of useful characters (Chadefaud 1964, 1973, Baral 1987b, Triebel & Baral 1996 and with TEM (Bellemère 1975, 1977, Bellemère et al 1987, Verkley 1992, 1993aand b, 1994, 1995aand b, 1996, Lenurm & Raitviir 2000). These studies have revealed a large diversity in structure and function of the ascus apical apparatus in the Helotiales.…”