Teleotypification of fungal names and its limitations

Abstract

Article 59.7 of the ICBN (Vienna Code) allows the epitypification of a name of a fungus, known until then only as an anamorph, with teleomorphic material in order to avoid introducing an additional name. Redhead suggested calling this procedure teleotypification. We demonstrate that it is not desirable to apply teleotypification to newly discovered teleomorphs of fungi for which a suitable teleomorph genus is available. Describing a newly found anamorphic fungus under a teleomorph‐typified generic name may be defended, provided generic homogeneity is proven with molecular methods and no suitable anamorph genus is available. Alternative proposals will be submitted to either return to the previous situation without teleotypification or to restrict teleotypification explicitly to cases where the original genus is monotypic or at least clearly monophyletic, and no suitable teleomorph genus is available.