Lignicolous or xylophagous fungus is the technical name used for fungi that feed on wood, unlike other organisms where it is mentioned that they are lignicolous if they are associated with it without the need to consume it.[1]​ It is important to say that this term is not taxonomic, it groups species of both Basidiomycota and Ascomicota that what they have in common is that they attack and degrade wood.[2]​ As a result of the consumption of wood, we find that fungi produce different types of rot depending on the compounds they absorb.

Wood-eating fungi can be classified depending on the type of rot they produce: white rot, brown rot, and soft rot. hemicellulose, these fungi, on the other hand, cannot degrade lignin, the remaining lgnin gives a brown color to the wood.[4] Soft rot is caused mainly by ascomycete fungi, they do not partially degrade cellulose, giving a superficial softening of the wood.[5]​.

They are considered key species for forest ecosystems because they provide nutrients and habitat for the species, but they also participate in essential processes such as the degradation of materials and the transformation and transportation of energy, without them the ecosystem would collapse.[6] Many of the species are used as indicator species for conservation and due to the felling of forests, a large number are classified in IUCN as endangered species.[7]​.

Wood decomposition is of utmost importance for soil availability and carbon recirculation. Wood contains between 40-45% carbon-rich cellulose, which decomposes very slowly because it is embedded in lignin, which is resistant to microbial attack and for fungi to access the cellulose they must be able to dissolve or penetrate the lignin.[8]​.