Two new species and one new combination of Ophiocordyceps (Hypocreales, Ophiocordycipitaceae) in Guizhou.

Ophiocordyceps is the largest genus in Ophiocordycipitaceae and has a broad distribution with high diversity in subtropical and tropical regions. In this study, two new species, pathogenic on lepidopteran larvae are introduced, based on morphological observation and molecular phylogeny. Ophiocordycepsfenggangensissp. nov. is characterised by having fibrous, stalked stroma with a sterile tip, immersed perithecia, cylindrical asci and filiform ascospores disarticulating into secondary spores. Ophiocordycepsliangiisp. nov. has the characteristics of fibrous, brown, stipitate, filiform stroma, superficial perithecia, cylindrical asci and cylindrical-filiform, non-disarticulating ascospores. A new combination Ophiocordycepsmusicaudata (syn. Cordycepsmusicaudata) is established employing molecular analysis and morphological characteristics. Ophiocordycepsmusicaudata is characterised by wiry, stipitate, solitary, paired to multiple stromata, yellowish, branched fertile part, brown stipe, immersed perithecia, cylindrical asci and cylindrical-filiform, non-disarticulating ascospores.

Three New Species of Lactifluus (Basidiomycota, Russulaceae) from Guizhou Province, Southwest China.

Lactifluus is a distinct genus of milkcaps, well known as ectomycorrhizal fungi. The characteristics of the genus Lactifluus include grayish-yellow, orange to orange-brown, or reddish-brown pileus, white latex from the damaged lamellae, discoloring to a brownish color, reticulate spore ornamentation, lampropalisade-type pileipellis, and the presence of lamprocystidia. Guizhou Province is rich in wild mushroom resources due to its special geographical location and natural environment. In this study, three novel Lactifluus species were identified through the screening of extensive fungal resources in Suiyang County, Guizhou Province, China, sampled from host species of mostly Castanopsis spp. and Pinus spp. Based on critical morphology coupled with nuclear sequences of genes encoding large subunit rRNA, internal transcribed spacer, and RNA polymerase II, these new species, Lactifluus taibaiensis, Lactifluus qinggangtangensis, and Lactifluus jianbaensis, were found to belong to Lactifluus section Lactifluus. A comparison with closely related species, Lactifluus taibaiensis was distinguished by its lighter-colored pileus, different colors of lamellae, and more subglobose basidiospores; Lactifluus jianbaensis was identified by the height of the spore ornamentation and its subglobose basidiospores; and Lactifluus qinggangtangensis was characterized by having smaller basidiospores, ridges, and pleurolamprocystid.

Ganodermaovisporum sp. nov. (Polyporales, Polyporaceae) from Southwest China.

Background: Ganoderma is a white-rot fungus with a cosmopolitan distribution and includes several economically important species. This genus has been extensively researched due to its beneficial medicinal properties and chemical constituents with potential nutritional and therapeutic values. Traditionally, species of Ganoderma were identified solely based on morphology; however, recent molecular studies revealed that many morphology-based species are conspecific. Furthermore, some type species are in poor condition, which hinders us from re-examining their taxonomic characteristics and obtaining their molecular data. Therefore, new species and fresh collections with multigene sequences are needed to fill the loopholes and to understand the biological classification system of Ganoderma. New information: In a survey of Ganoderma in Guizhou Province, southwest China, we found a new species growing on soil and, herein, it was identified by both morphology and phylogenetic evidence. Hence, we propose a new species, Ganodermaovisporum sp. nov. This species is characterised by an annual, stipitate, laccate basidiome, with a red-brown to brownish-black pileus surface and pale white pores, duplex context, clavate pileipellis terminal cells, trimitic hyphal system, ellipsoid basidiospores with dark brown eusporium bearing coarse echinulae and an obtuse turgid appendix. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the novel species sisters to G.sandunense with high bootstrap support. Furthermore, the RPB2 sequence of G.sandunense is supplied for the first time. Notably, we re-examined the type specimen of G.sandunense and provide a more precise description of the duplex context, pileipellis terminal cells and basidia. All species collected are described and illustrated with coloured photographs. Moreover, we present an updated phylogeny for Ganoderma, based on nLSU, ITS, RPB2 and TEF1-α DNA sequence data and species relationships and classification are discussed.

Two new entomopathogenic species of Ophiocordyceps in Thailand.

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, Ophiocordycepsglobiceps, 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, Ophiocordycepssporangifera, 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.

Multigene phylogenetics of Polycephalomyces (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales), with two new species from Thailand.

Polycephalomyces (Ophiocordycipitaceae) species are found in subtropical regions and are parasitic or hyperparasitic on insects. Two new species, P. aurantiacus and P. marginaliradians, parasitic on Ophiocordyceps barnesii and larva of Cossidae respectively, are introduced in this paper. Morphological comparison with extant species and DNA based phylogenies from analyses of a multigene dataset support the establishment of the new taxa. Polycephalomyces aurantiacus, exhibiting a hyperparasitic lifestyle on Ophiocordyceps barnesii, differs from other species in producing orange conidia in mass and have longer ß-phialides in culture. Polycephalomyces marginaliradians differs from other Ophiocordyceps species by producing single stromata with a stipe, smaller perithecia and branched α-phialides and catenate α-conidia and is parasitic on Cossidae. A combined nrSSU, nrLSU, ITS, tef-1a, rpb1 and rpb2 sequence data was analysed phylogenetically including Ophiocordyceps and Polycephalomyces taxa. The new species described herein are clearly distinct from other species in Polycephalomyces. We provide a key to the species of Polycephalomyces and discuss relevant interspecies relationships.

Beta-tubulin and Actin gene phylogeny supports Phaeoacremoniumovale as a new species from freshwater habitats in China.

A new species of Phaeoacremonium, P.ovale (Togniniaceae), was isolated during a diversity study of freshwater fungi from Yunnan Province in China. Morphological and cultural studies of the fungus were carried out and its sexual and asexual morphs (holomorph) are introduced herein. This species is characterised by peculiar long-necked, semi-immersed ascomata with oval to ellipsoid ascospores and ellipsoid to ovoid conidia. Phylogenetic analyses of a combined TUB and ACT gene dataset revealed that strains of P.ovale constitute a strongly supported independent lineage and are related to P.griseo-olivaceum and P.africanum. The number of nucleotide differences, across the genes analysed, also supports establishment of P.ovale as a new species.

Morphological and phylogenetic characterisation of novel Cytospora species associated with mangroves.

Mangroves are relatively unexplored habitats and have been shown to harbour a number of novel species of fungi. In this study, samples of microfungi were collected from symptomatic branches, stem and leaves of the mangrove species Xylocarpusgranatum, X.moluccensis and Lumnitzeraracemosa and examined morphologically. The phylogeny recovered supports our morphological data to introduce three new species, Cytosporalumnitzericola, C.thailandica and C.xylocarpi. In addition, a combined multi-gene DNA sequence dataset (ITS, LSU, ACT and RPB2) was analysed to investigate phylogenetic relationships of isolates and help in a more reliable species identification.

Anti-phytopathogenic sesquiterpenoid-xanthone adducts from potato endophytic fungus Bipolaris eleusines.

A bioguided separation on the cultures of the potato endophytic fungus Bipolaris eleusines led to the isolation of two anti-phytopathogenic (Alternaria solani) sesquiterpenoid-xanthone adducts, namely bipolins I and J (1 and 2). Their structures were established via extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit potent inhibitory activity against A. solani with MIC values of 8 and 16 µg mL-1, respectively.

An Evaluation of Common Cordyceps (Ascomycetes) Species Found in Chinese Markets.

The common Cordyceps (more than 20 species) found in Chinese markets are evaluated and illustrated. We systematically introduce their taxonomies, allied species, hosts, distributions, yields, selling statuses, and market prices. We summarize and comment on the medicinal value and food safety of Cordyceps. The concept of "cordyceps" is explained, the "best" cordyceps is explored, and Chinese cordyceps culture is analyzed. We suggest using the word "cordyceps" instead of the Latin Cordyceps to report these important edible and medicinal mushrooms.

Ecological preferences of Metarhizium spp. from Russia and neighboring territories and their activity against Colorado potato beetle larvae.

Thirty-four isolates of Metarhizium spp. from Russian collections were genotyped using 5' EF-1α gene sequence analysis. Four species were identified, of which M. robertsii and M. brunneum were the most frequent, whereas M. anisopliae and M. pemphigum were sporadic. Radial growth studies in the temperature range of 10-40°C revealed that growth at high temperatures (35-37.5°C) was inherent for M. robertsii isolates but not for M. brunneum isolates. In contrast, M. brunneum isolates were more active at cold temperatures (10°C) compared to M. robertsii. Virulence was evaluated against larvae of the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, under two regimes: humid (21°C, 80% relative humidity (RH)) and arid (31°C, 55% RH). M. brunneum isolates were less virulent compared to M.robertsii under both regimes. M. robertsii activity did not differ under the two regimes, but M. brunneum was less virulent under the arid regime compared to the humid one. A field experiment under natural conditions (steppe zone of Western Siberia) with daily ranges of 10-43°C and 13-98% RH showed that M. robertsii was significantly more active than M. brunneum against CPB larvae.

Taxonomy of Macromotettixoides with the description of a new species (Tetrigidae, Metrodorinae).

Descriptions of the flying organs and generic characteristics of the genus Macromotettixoides Zheng, Wei & Jiang are currently imprecise. Macromotettixoides is reviewed and compared with allied genera. A re-description is undertaken and a determination key is provided to Macromotettixoides. Macromotettixoides parvula Zha & Wen, sp. n. from the Guizhou Karst Region, China, is described and illustrated with photographs. Observations on the ecology and habits of the new species are recorded. Four current species of Hyboella Hancock are transferred to Macromotettixoides. Variations of the flying organs and tegminal sinus in the Tetrigidae are discussed, which will help to describe them accurately.

A new species and a revised key of the genus Thoradonta (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae).

A new species of the genus Thoradonta (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae), Thoradonta varispina Zha & Sheng, sp. n., was found in Lengshuihe Nature Preserve, Jinsha, Guizhou, China. It is introduced with a description and photographs and compared with similar taxa. Ecology, habits, and morphological variation of the new species are discussed and illustrated. Generic characteristics of Thoradonta are updated and an updated key to all known species of Thoradonta is given.

Morphology and Phylogeny of Neoscytalidium orchidacearum sp. nov. (Botryosphaeriaceae).

A coelomycete with characters resembling the asexual morphs in the family Botryosphaeriaceae was isolated from a fallen leaf of an orchid collected in Thailand. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses placed the strain in Neoscytalidium. Phylogenetic relationships among Neoscytalidium species were inferred by analyzing internal transcribed spacers and large subunit of rRNA sequence data and indicate that our strain is a new species, which is introduced and illustrated herein as Neoscytalidium orchidacearum sp. nov.

Records of Hedotettix and Teredorus in Thailand with the description of three new species (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae).

We are studying the fungi associated with insects in northern Thailand and as a result several rarely collected insect species have been uncovered. The genera Hedotettix with one new species and Teredorus with two new species are reported from Thailand. Hedotettix triangularis Zha & Hyde, sp. n., Teredorus chiangraiensis Zha & Hyde, sp. n. and Teredorus combfemorus Zha & Hyde, sp. n. are introduced, described and photographed and compared with other species. Keys to species of Hedotettix and Teredorus from Thailand are provided.

Optimization of large-scale culture conditions for the production of cordycepin with Cordyceps militaris by liquid static culture.

Cordycepin is one of the most important bioactive compounds produced by species of Cordyceps sensu lato, but it is hard to produce large amounts of this substance in industrial production. In this work, single factor design, Plackett-Burman design, and central composite design were employed to establish the key factors and identify optimal culture conditions which improved cordycepin production. Using these culture conditions, a maximum production of cordycepin was 2008.48 mg/L for 700 mL working volume in the 1000 mL glass jars and total content of cordycepin reached 1405.94 mg/bottle. This method provides an effective way for increasing the cordycepin production at a large scale. The strategies used in this study could have a wide application in other fermentation processes.