Abstract
Escovopsis is a diverse group of fungi, which are considered specialized parasites of the fungal cultivars of fungus-growing ants. The lack of a suitable taxonomic framework and phylogenetic inconsistencies have long hampered Escovopsis research. The aim of this study is to reassess the genus Escovopsis using a taxonomic approach and a comprehensive multilocus phylogenetic analysis, in order to set the basis of the genus systematics and the stage for future Escovopsis research. Our results support the separation of Escovopsis into three distinct genera. In light of this, we redefine Escovopsis as a monophyletic clade whose main feature is to form terminal vesicles on conidiophores. Consequently, E. kreiselii and E. trichodermoides were recombined into two new genera, Sympodiorosea and Luteomyces, as S. kreiselii and L. trichodermoides, respectively. This study expands our understanding of the systematics of Escovopsis and related genera, thereby facilitating future research on the evolutionary history, taxonomic diversity, and ecological roles of these inhabitants of the attine ant colonies.
Highlights
The kingdom Fungi comprises organisms with wide morphological and genetic diversity (Mueller and Schmit 2007; Hawksworth and Lücking 2017)
Morphology We examined the microscopic structures of nine ex-type cultures of Escovopsis species (E. aspergilloides, E. clavata, E. kreiselii, E. lentecrescens, E. microspora, E. moelleri, E. multiformis, E. trichodermoides, and E. weberi), representing the known diversity of the genus, to determine if those morphological features support the results observed in phylogenetic analyses
While clades A–E are treated as Escovopsis, clades A, B (E. trichodermoides), and E (E. kreiselii) are the only clades containing formally described Escovopsis species, so far
Summary
The kingdom Fungi comprises organisms with wide morphological and genetic diversity (Mueller and Schmit 2007; Hawksworth and Lücking 2017). Notwithstanding, taxonomic and phylogenetic incongruities like non-monophyly preclude the study of many fungal groups, as is the case for the genus Escovopsis (Ascomycota: Hypocreales, Hypocreaceae). Escovopsis is a diverse group of fungi, members of which are presumed to have evolved parasitizing the mutualistic fungus of fungus-growing ants (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini: Attina, the “attines”) (Yek et al 2012). Escovopsis has only been found associated with fungus-growing ant colonies, suggesting that the genus has evolved in relation to these ants’ system, potentially for millions of years. Despite its biological importance in relation to a canonical system for the study of coevolution and symbiosis, the paucity of taxonomic studies and unresolved phylogenetic inconsistencies have prevented a comprehensive understanding of the systematics, ecology, and evolution of these hypocrealean fungi
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