The order Microthyriales is a group of fungi within the class Dothideomycetes, primarily known for their saprobic lifestyle, growing on plant surfaces, leaves, or decaying organic matter. Members of this order are characterized by the formation of small, shield-like fruiting bodies called thyriothecia, which are typically dark, flattened, and have a radiating pattern of hyphae on their surface. Microthyriales fungi reproduce sexually via bitunicate asci containing ascospores and often play ecological roles in the decomposition of plant material or as mild plant pathogens. They are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, though some species occur in temperate zones, and they are of interest for studies in fungal taxonomy and ecology due to their distinctive morphology and surface-dwelling habits.