The Dutch mycologist Marinus Anton Donk first published the tribe Clavulinae in 1933 to accommodate species of clavarioid fungi in the genus Clavulina that had "stichic" basidia (basidia with nuclear spindles arranged longitudinally). He considered this feature placed the species concerned closer to the chanterelles (Cantharellales) than to other clavarioid fungi. In 1961, he raised the tribe to the rank of family, as the Clavulinaceae.[1] In 1968, Estonian mycologist Erast Parmasto added the corticioid genus Clavulicium to the family, noting that it had very similar basidia to those found in Clavulina.[2]
Molecular research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences, has confirmed the placement of Clavulina within the Cantharellales,[3] but has not yet addressed the circumscription of the family Clavulinaceae. The corticioid genus Membranomyces (formerly referred to Clavulicium) is closely related. The lichenized clavarioid genus Multiclavula is also closely related[3] and has been included within the family.[5] Several species formerly referred to the corticioid genus Sistotrema may be included, but have not been formally renamed.[6] The genus Burgella, described for a probable anamorph of this latter group is, however, within the family.[6] As such, the Clavulinaceae currently contain 4 genera and over 60 species.[7] The genus Clavulicium which was formerly placed in the Clavulinaceae was found to belong in the new family Stereopsidaceae.[8]
