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A New Species of Papiliomyces (Clavicipiteae, Hypocreales) from China

Summary

This research describes a newly discovered species of fungus from China that belongs to a group of fungi that can parasitize insects. The discovery adds to our understanding of fungal diversity and evolution. The study used both physical characteristics and DNA analysis to confirm it as a new species. Impacts on everyday life: – Contributes to cataloging Earth’s biodiversity – Helps understand the evolution of insect-fungus relationships – May lead to potential applications in biological pest control – Advances our knowledge of natural insect population control – Could have future applications in medicine or agriculture

Background

Papiliomyces (Hypocreales, Sordariomycetes) was introduced to accommodate two species: Papiliomyces liangshanensis and Papiliomyces shibinensis. Later, Papiliomyces liangshanensis was renamed Ophiocordyceps liangshanensis. However, the Papiliomyces liangshanensis molecular data (Nepalese) used to establish the Papiliomyces genus was different from Ophiocordyceps liangshanensis (China) strains.

Objective

To describe and characterize a new fungal species, Papiliomyces longiclavatus, found in Yangchang District, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China, based on morphological characteristics and multilocus phylogenetic analysis.

Results

The new species Papiliomyces longiclavatus was found to be phylogenetically distinct but most closely related to Papiliomyces liangshanensis (Nepalese collections). It is characterized by robust stroma with completely immersed perithecia, multi-septate ascospores, cylindrical secondary ascospores, two types of phialides and two types of conidia (longer α-conidia and longer β-conidia).

Conclusion

Based on morphological and molecular evidence, Papiliomyces longiclavatus represents a new species within the genus Papiliomyces. It differs from other species in the genus through its unique combination of morphological characteristics and phylogenetic placement.
  • Published in:Biodiversity Data Journal,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic Study,
  • Source: 10.3897/BDJ.11.e86868
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