Cryptic Diversity of Isaria-like Species in Guizhou, China.

Wanhao Chen,Jiandong Liang,Zongqi Liang,Yanfeng Han,Xiuxiu Ren,Jiehong Zhao

doi:10.3390/life11101093

Abstract

Many Isaria-like species have recently been moved into more appropriate genera. However, more robust molecular phylogenetic analyses are still required for Isaria-like fungi to ensure accurate taxonomic identification. We analyzed these Isaria-like strains using multi-gene phylogenetics. Cryptic diversity was discovered in several Isaria farinosa strains, and two new species, Samsoniella pseudogunnii and S. pupicola, are proposed. Our results reveal that more attention needs to be paid to cryptic intraspecific diversity across different isolates and genotypes of the Isaria-like species, some of which will need to be transferred to Samsoniella. Interestingly, S. hepiali, with a very broad host distribution, has been widely used as a medicinal and edible cordycipitoid fungus.

Highlights

Brown and Smith [2] transferred some species described in Isaria Pers. and Spicaria Harting into Paecilomyces, which possess a conidiogenous structure similar to that of Paecilomyces variotii Bainier. de Hoog [3] redescribed the genus Isaria and chose Isaria felina (DC.) Fr
Purpureocillium lilacinum (Thom) Luangsa-ard, Houbraken, Hywel-Jones, and Samson was used as the outgroup in analysis 2 (Figure 2)
The final value the highest scoring tree was –37,321.078127, which was obtained from an maximum likelihood (ML) analysis of of the highest scoring tree was –31,206.916701, which was obtained from an ML analysis of the dataset (ITS+large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU)+RPB2+translation elongation factor alpha (TEF))

Summary

Introduction

The genus Isaria was originally establish based on the species Isaria terrestris Fr. Brown and Smith [2] transferred some species described in Isaria Pers. Spicaria Harting into Paecilomyces, which possess a conidiogenous structure similar to that of Paecilomyces variotii Bainier. De Hoog [3] redescribed the genus Isaria and chose Isaria felina (DC.) Fr. as the lectotype. Typical characteristics include denticulate conidiogenous cells without elongation that arise in clusters from subtending cells or are solitarily from undifferentiated hyphae; mostly present synnemata; and globose, ellipsoidal, or subcylindrical conidia, mostly with a rounded base [3]. Samson [4] divided the genus Paecilomyces into two sections and all entomogenous species were placed in the section Isarioidea. Hodge et al [5]

Methods

Results

Conclusion