New teleomorph combinations in the entomopathogenic genusMetacordyceps

Abstract

The genus Metacordyceps contains arthropod pathogens in Clavicipitaceae (Hypocreales) that formerly were classified in Cordyceps sensu Kobayasi et Mains. Of the current arthropod pathogenic genera of Hypocreales, the genus Metacordyceps remains one of the most poorly understood and contains a number of teleomorphic morphologies convergent with species of Cordyceps s.s. (Cordycipitaceae) and Ophiocordyceps (Ophiocordycipitaceae). Of note, the anamorph genera Metarhizium and Pochonia were found to be associated only with Metacordyceps and demonstrated to be phylogenetically informative for the clade. Several species of Cordyceps considered to have uncertain placements (incertae sedis) in the current taxonomic framework of clavicipitoid fungi were collected during field expeditions mostly in eastern Asia. Species reclassified here in Metacordyceps include Cordyceps atrovirens Kobayasi & Shimizu, Cordyceps indigotica Kobayasi & Shimizu, Cordyceps khaoyaiensis Hywel-Jones, Cordyceps kusanagiensis Kobayasi & Shimizu, Cordyceps martialis Speg., Ophiocordyceps owariensis Kobayasi, Cordyceps pseudoatrovirens Kobayasi & Shimizu and Ophicordyceps owariensis f. viridescens (Uchiy. & Udagawa) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora. Incorporation of these species in a multigene phylogenetic framework of the major clades of clavicipitoid fungi more than doubled the number of species in Metacordyceps and allowed for refinement of morphological concepts for the genus consistent with the phylogenetic structure. Based on these findings we then discuss evolution of this genus, subgeneric relationships, anamorph connections, and suggest additional species that should be confirmed for possible inclusion in Metacordyceps.

Metacordyceps dhauladharensis sp. nov., a new entomopathogenic fungus from India

“…All positions containing gaps and missing data were eliminated. Presently described species is different from M. indigotica in morphology, taxonomical details, and host insect, as described by Kepler et al (2012). Morphological features such as stromata (Liu et al, 2001).…”

Metacordyceps shibinensis sp. nov. from larvae of Lepidoptera in Guizhou Province, southwest China

“…There are only 100 species with 5.8 S ITS sequence data and only 80 species have been studied using multi-gene phylogeny. Recent phylogenetic studies (Spatafora et al 2007, Sung et al 2007a, b, Kepler et al 2012a, b, 2013, based on multiple independent loci, have provided a greater level of resolution for this complex group of fungi. Therefore, a detailed systematic classification of Cordyceps and the family Clavicipitaceae based on multigene phylogenies is necessary to reflect the natural placement in Hypocreales (Maharachchikumbura et al 2015).…”

“…More than 240 Cordyceps species have been placed into these six genera, but about half of Cordyceps sensu lato species need to be restudied and re-arranged (Sung et al 2007a). Sung et al (2007a) and (Kepler et al 2012a) suggested that there are 15 Metacordyceps species, while 14 epithets are assigned to Metacordyceps in Index Fungorum (2015).…”

Current nomenclatural changes inCordyceps sensu latoand its multidisciplinary impacts

“…The remaining sp. was first transferred from Cordyceps to Ophiocordyceps and then to Metacordyceps prior to transfer to Metarhizium (Sung et al 2007; Kepler et al 2012a, 2014). Two more Metacordyceps spp.…”