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Fan Q, Yang T, Li H, Wang XM, Liao HF, Shen PH, Yang ZL, Zeng WB, Wang YB. Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal two new entomopathogenic species of Ophiocordyceps (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) parasitic on termites from China. MycoKeys 2024; 103:1-24. [PMID: 38495949 PMCID: PMC10943269 DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.103.116153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Two new termite-pathogenic species, Ophiocordycepsglobiperitheciata and O.longistipes, are described from Yunnan Province, China. Six-locus (ITS, nrSSU, nrLSU, tef-1α, rpb1 and rpb2) phylogenetic analyses in combination with morphological observations were employed to characterize these two species. Phylogenetically, O.globiperitheciata is most closely related to Hirsutellacryptosclerotium and O.communis, whereas O.longistipes shares a sister relationship with O.fusiformis. However, O.globiperitheciata differs from H.cryptosclerotium by parasitizing Blattodea and producing clavate, unbifurcated stromata. Ophiocordycepsglobiperitheciata is distinguished from O.communis by multiple stromata, shorter asci and ascospores. Ophiocordycepslongistipes differs from O.fusiformis in producing larger stromata, perithecia, asci and ascospores, as well as smaller citriform or oval conidia. Morphological descriptions of the two new species and a dichotomous key to the 19 termite-pathogenic Ophiocordyceps species are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Fan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Tao Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Hui Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Xue-Mei Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - He-Fa Liao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Pei-Hong Shen
- College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhu-Liang Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Wen-Bo Zeng
- College of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, Yunnan, China
| | - Yuan-Bing Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
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Nicoletti R, Russo E, Becchimanzi A. Cladosporium-Insect Relationships. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:78. [PMID: 38276024 PMCID: PMC10820778 DOI: 10.3390/jof10010078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The range of interactions between Cladosporium, a ubiquitous fungal genus, and insects, a class including about 60% of the animal species, is extremely diverse. The broad case history of antagonism and mutualism connecting Cladosporium and insects is reviewed in this paper based on the examination of the available literature. Certain strains establish direct interactions with pests or beneficial insects or indirectly influence them through their endophytic development in plants. Entomopathogenicity is often connected to the production of toxic secondary metabolites, although there is a case where these compounds have been reported to favor pollinator attraction, suggesting an important role in angiosperm reproduction. Other relationships include mycophagy, which, on the other hand, may reflect an ecological advantage for these extremely adaptable fungi using insects as carriers for spreading in the environment. Several Cladosporium species colonize insect structures, such as galleries of ambrosia beetles, leaf rolls of attelabid weevils and galls formed by cecidomyid midges, playing a still uncertain symbiotic role. Finally, the occurrence of Cladosporium in the gut of several insect species has intriguing implications for pest management, also considering that some strains have proven to be able to degrade insecticides. These interactions especially deserve further investigation to understand the impact of these fungi on pest control measures and strategies to preserve beneficial insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Nicoletti
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Center for Olive, Fruit and Citrus Crops, 81100 Caserta, Italy
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy; (E.R.); (A.B.)
| | - Elia Russo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy; (E.R.); (A.B.)
| | - Andrea Becchimanzi
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy; (E.R.); (A.B.)
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
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