Two new species and one asexual morph record of Paraisaria (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) from China

By

Yang, Yu
Hyde, Kevin D
Mapook, Ausana
Lu, Yong-Zhong
Nilthong, Somrudee
Xie, Shu-Qiong
Li, Xiang-Dong
Jayawardena, Ruvishika
Xiao, Yuan-Pin

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-9-1

Original Publication

MycoKeys

Volume

121

Pages

253--270

Subjects

entomopathogenic fungi , Morphology , Multi-locus , Phylogeny , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers 2011-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.121.156843

 

Abstract

Paraisaria is a genus within Ophiocordycipitaceae, primarily parasitising insect groups such as ants (Hymenoptera), moth larvae (Lepidoptera) and beetle larvae (Coleoptera). The genus is characterised by cylindrical stipes, subglobose to globose fertile heads with immersed perithecia, hyaline, multi-septate ascospores and irregularly branched conidiophores with flask-shaped phialides and cylindrical to fusiform conidia. Paraisaria is globally distributed, primarily inhabiting tropical and subtropical locations; however, it has also demonstrated adaptability to temperate climates. This study introduces two novel species and reports one asexual morph of Paraisaria from China, providing detailed descriptions, illustrations and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Morphological examination reveals clear distinctions between the new species and previously described taxa. Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (LSU, ITS, SSU, tef-1α, rpb1 and rpb2) corroborate their uniqueness, offering new insights into the diversity and evolutionary dynamics of the genus.