Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal two new species, Ophiocordyceps ramosa sp. nov. (Ophiocordycipitaceae) and Leptobacillium hepiali sp. nov. (Cordycipitaceae), in Hypocreales from China

Abstract

Ophiocordyceps holds significant value in controlling arthropod populations, maintaining ecosystem balance, and developing bioactive substances. During the natural infection of hosts, Ophiocordyceps fungi, along with other fungal species, form a micro-ecological complex, where these microorganisms also exhibit ecological functions and biological value. In this study, two new species were introduced, from Ophiocordyceps and Leptobacillium, based on morphological observation and multi-gene (ITS, nrSSU, nrLSU, tef- 1 α, rpb 1, and rpb 2) phylogenetic analysis.

The phylogenetic analysis revealed that Ophiocordyceps ramosa sp. nov. is closely related to Hirsutella satumaensis and H. nodulosa, and Leptobacillium hepiali sp. nov. is closely related to L. latisporum. O. ramosa sp. nov. is characterised by multi-branched or partially forked, lignified and light brown stromata, phialides with a swollen base and tapering neck, and spherical or sub-spherical conidia, distinguishing it from closely related species.

L. hepiali sp. nov. is characterized by solitary, unbranched phialides, clearly differentiating it from its relatives, which have 2–3 branched phialides. The distinctiveness of these two new species was strongly supported by both molecular phylogeny and morphology.