The Basidiomycota constitutes a major phylum of the kingdom Fungi and is second in species numbers to the Ascomycota. The present work provides an overview of all validly published, currently used basidiomycete genera to date in a single document. An outline of all genera of Basidiomycota is provided, which includes 1928 currently used genera names, with 1263 synonyms, which are distributed in 241 families, 68 orders, 18 classes and four subphyla. We provide brief notes for each accepted genus including information on classification, number of accepted species, type species, life mode, habitat, distribution, and sequence information. Furthermore, three phylogenetic analyses with combined LSU, SSU, 5.8s, rpb1, rpb2, and ef1 datasets for the subphyla Agaricomycotina, Pucciniomycotina and Ustilaginomycotina are conducted, respectively. Divergence time estimates are provided to the family level with 632 species from 62 orders, 168 families and 605 genera. Our study indicates that the divergence times of the subphyla in Basidiomycota are 406–430 Mya, classes are 211–383 Mya, and orders are 99–323 Mya, which are largely consistent with previous studies. In this study, all phylogenetically supported families were dated, with the families of Agaricomycotina diverging from 27–178 Mya, Pucciniomycotina from 85–222 Mya, and Ustilaginomycotina from 79–177 Mya. Divergence times as additional criterion in ranking provide additional evidence to resolve taxonomic problems in the Basidiomycota taxonomic system, and also provide a better understanding of their phylogeny and evolution.

Recent molecular analyses separate Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus (causal agent of ash dieback in Europe) from the morphologically scarcely distinguishable H. albidus. Hymenoscyphus albidus was reported (as "Lambertella albida") on petioles of Fraxinus mandshurica in Japan. Phylogenetic analysis in the present study shows Japanese "L. albida" to be conspecific with H. pseudoalbidus but with a higher genetic variability compared to European isolates. The presence of croziers at the ascus base was found to be a clear distinguishing character of H. pseudoalbidus. Our phylogenetic analysis of the combined ITS and LSU-D1/D2 dataset supports Hymenoscyphus as more appropriate than Lambertella for H. pseudoalbidus. As the Hymenoscyphus clade includes members with two major characters (presence of substratal stroma and brown ascospores) currently used to circumscribe Lambertella, the generic delimitation of Lambertella requires redefinition.

Phylogeny of the genus Pythium is analyzed based on sequences of the large subunit ribosomal DNA D1/D2 region and cytochrome oxidase II gene region of Pythium isolates and comprehensive species of related taxa belonging to the Oomycetes. The phylogenetic trees show that the genus Pythium is a highly divergent group and divided into five well-or moderately supported monophyletic clades. Each clade is characterized by sporangial morphology such as globose, ovoid, elongated, or filamentous shapes. Based on phylogeny and morphology, the genus Pythium (s. str.) is emended, and four new genera, Ovatisporangium, Globisporangium, Elongisporangium, and Pilasporangium, are described and segregated from Pythium s. lato.

Differential sensitivity to boscalid, penthiopyrad and fluopyram, clearly found in these two important pathogens of cucumber, may indicate involvement of a slightly distinct site of action for fluopyram from the two other SDHIs. This finding may lead to the discovery of unique SDHIs in the future.

Polyporus accommodates morphologically heterogeneous species and is divided into six infrageneric groups based on macromorphological characters. On the other hand allied genera have macro- and microscopic characters similar to those of Polyporus. The phylogenetic relationships of Polyporus and allied genera were established from sequences of RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nucLSU) and mitochondrial ATPase subunit 6 (ATP6). The molecular phylogenetic trees confirmed that Polyporus is a polyphyletic genus and recognized six major clades (1-6) containing species of Polyporus and several allied genera. Among the clades one contained three infrageneric groups of Polyporus and two allied genera, Datronia and Pseudofavolus while one other contained group Polyporellus and Lentinus. Five of the six major clades contained species belonging to a single infrageneric group, Favolus, Melanopus, Polyporellus or Polyporus. This suggests that morphological characters used to define these groups have phylogenetic significance and reveals the need for a taxonomic revision of Polyporus and its allied genera.