“Silurian strata have provided likely ascomycete fossils, as well as remains of the first arachnids and centipedes.”

“Filamentous ascomycete fungi have nearly twice as many genes and are much more typical higher fungi than yeasts.”

“The ascomycete fungi are haploid at all times other than when the gametes fuse to produce the zygote.”

“In other words, the ascocarp is closed but for an ostiole at the distal end.”

“The group 342 is characterized by a special type of ascocarp, the perithecium.”

“These observations suggest that overwintering is necessary for ascocarp development, completing the life cycle, perpetuating the species and providing a source of inoculum for infection in the next season.”