Three novel insect-associated species of Simplicillium (Cordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) from Southwest China

By

Chen, Wanhao
Liu, Chang
Han, Yan-Feng
Liang, Jiandong
Tian, Weiyi
Liang, Zongqi

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019

Original Publication

MycoKeys

Volume

58

Pages

83--102

Subjects

Commensal fungi , Morphology , nutritional preference , Phylogeny

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers 2011-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.58.37176

 

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce three new species ofSimplicillium, viz.S. cicadellidae,S. formicidaeandS. lepidopterorum, which were isolated from an infected leafhopper, ant and carpenterworm, respectively. Morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analyses based on multigene datasets (LSU+RPB1+RPB2+TEF and ITS+LSU) support the establishment of the three new species.Simplicillium cicadellidaewas distinguished from other species in morphological characteristics by having smaller phialides and ellipsoidal conidia, and lacking octahedral crystals. The reverse of colonies were yellowish (#FFBF00), especially in the middle, and radially sulcate.Simplicillium formicidaewas morphologically distinguished from other by having longer phialides and filiform to fusoid conidia, and by lacking octahedral crystals.Simplicillium lepidopterorumwas morphologically distinguished from other species by having smaller, ellipsoidal to fusiform conidia, and by lacking octahedral crystals. The reverse of the colony was pale white. The three new species are likely to be nourished by plant to animal (especially insect) nutrients based on the evolutionary pattern of the Hypocreales, and they are described herein as being clearly distinct from other species inSimplicillium.