Ascocarp ontogeny and a natural classification of the Ascobolaceae

Ascocarp ontogeny has proved to be a very useful basis for the classification of the Ascobolaceae. A scheme of interrelationships between the sections of Ascobolus and Saccobolus is given. It is suggested that ascocarp ontogeny will play a prominent part in recognizing series of supra-specific taxa within other natural families of the Discomycetes, e.g. Thelebolaceae and Pyronemataceae.