Two new entomopathogenic species of Ophiocordyceps in Thailand

Abstract

Ophiocordyceps is entomopathogenic and the largest studied genus in the family Ophiocordycipitaceae. Many species in this genus have been reported from Thailand. The first new species introduced in this paper, Ophiocordyceps globiceps, differs from other species based on its smaller perithecia, shorter asci and secondary ascospores and additionally, in parasitising fly species. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU, ITS, TEF1α and RPB1 sequence data indicate that O. globiceps forms a distinct lineage within the genus Ophiocordyceps as a new species. The second new species, Ophiocordyceps sporangifera, is distinguished from closely related species by infecting larvae of insects (Coleoptera, Elateridae) and by producing white to brown sporangia, longer secondary synnemata and shorter primary and secondary phialides. We introduce O. sporangifera based on its significant morphological differences from other similar species, even though phylogenetic distinction is not well-supported.