Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis T.C. Wen, R.C. Zhu, J.C. Kang & K.D. Hyde, 2013

Wen, Ting-Chi, Zhu, Ru-Cai, Kang, Ji-Chuan, Huang, Ming-He, Tan, Dian-Bo, Ariyawansha, Hiran, Hyde, Kevin D. & Liu, Hao, 2013, Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis sp. nov. from larvae of Phassus nodus (Hepialidae) in Hunan Province, southern China, Phytotaxa 123 (1), pp. 41-50 : 47-48

Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis T.C. Wen, R.C. Zhu, J.C. Kang & K.D. Hyde , sp. nov. ( Fig. 2 ) MycoBank

MB803424

Type: — CHINA. Hunan Province: Dongkou County, Xuefeng Mountains, on Phassus nodus in root of living Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum , 20 October 2012, Ru-Cai Zhu 2012 HN 14 ( GZUH 2012 HN 14, holotype!).

Differs from related Ophiocordyceps species mainly by its long stromata, without a sterile apex, narrow asci, long ascospores and by its occurrence on Phassus nodus in living root or trunk of Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum .

Stromata 140–460 mm long, 2–7 mm wide, cylindrical, yellow-brown, 1–4 arising mainly from the head or other part of host; living on larvae of Phassus nodus ( Hepialidae ) in the trunk or upper root near the soil of Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum (Verbenaceae) . Stipe 40–260 mm long, 2–7 mm diam., and sometimes covered with beige, thick, dense, loosely woven mycelium. Fertile part 100–200 mm long × 2–4 mm diam., cylindrical, yellow-brown. Cells of stromata thin-walled, globose, hyaline, becoming brown-walled towards the outside. Host 60–110 mm long, 7–12 mm wide, yellow-brown to black-brown, with white endosclerotia. Ascomata 416–625 × 161–318 µm (x = 520 × 243, n = 20), superficial, long ovoid, with a basal stipe connected to the stromata. Peridium 20–74 µm wide (x = 39, n = 20), comprising three layers; hamathecium of paraphyses. Asci 191–392 × 4.5–8.9 µm (x = 277 × 7.5, n = 20), 8-spored, cylindrical, pedicellate not clear, with a 4.2–6.1 µm wide × 3.8–5.8 µm high (x = 5.1 × 4.7, n = 20) hemiglobose cap. Ascospores 130– 380 × 1.4–5.2 µm (x = 256 × 3.2, n = 20), fasciculate, thread-like, slender and long, with many septa, not breaking into secondary ascospores.

Asexual state: — Hirsutella .

Etymology: —Refers to the type collecting site “Xuefeng Mountains”.

Distribution: —Dongkou County, Hunan Province, China.

Host: —On larvae of Phassus nodus Chu & Wang living in the root or trunk of Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz.

Other material studied (paratypes): — CHINA. Hunan Province: Dongkou County, Xuefeng Mountains, on Phassus nodus in root of living Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum , 8 October 2011, Ru-Cai Zhu HN13 (GZUHHN13!); ex-paratype living culture GZUCCHN131!; Hunan Province: Dongkou County, Xuefeng Mountains, on Phassus nodus in root of living Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum , 20 October 2012, Ru-Cai Zhu 2012HN11 (GZUH2012HN11!); Hunan Province: Dongkou County, Xuefeng Mountains, on Phassus nodus in trunk of living Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum , 20 October 2012, Ru-Cai Zhu 2012HN13 (GZUH2012HN13!); Hunan Province: Dongkou County, Xuefeng Mountains, on Phassus nodus in root of living Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum , 20 October 2012, Ru-Cai Zhu 2012HN19 (GZUH2012HN19!).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis. A. Overview of stroma and the host. B. Brown, superficial ascomata on stroma. C. Section of ascomata. D. Apical peridium. E. Basal peridium formed from stroma. F. Mature ascus with ascospores. G. Ascus cap. H, I. Hyaline and filliform ascospores with many septa. Scale bars: A = 20 mm, B = 0.5 mm, C = 100 µm, D, E = 50 µm, F, H = 40 µm, G = 10 µm, I = 20 µm.