A phylogenetically-based nomenclature for Cordycipitaceae (Hypocreales).

The ending of dual nomenclatural systems for pleomorphic fungi in 2011 requires the reconciliation of competing names, ideally linked through culture based or molecular methods. The phylogenetic systematics of Hypocreales and its many genera have received extensive study in the last two decades, however resolution of competing names in Cordycipitaceae has not yet been addressed. Here we present a molecular phylogenetic investigation of Cordycipitaceae that enables identification of competing names in this family, and provides the basis upon which these names can be maintained or suppressed. The taxonomy presented here seeks to harmonize competing names by principles of priority, recognition of monophyletic groups, and the practical usage of affected taxa. In total, we propose maintaining nine generic names, Akanthomyces, Ascopolyporus, Beauveria, Cordyceps, Engyodontium, Gibellula, Hyperdermium, Parengyodontium, and Simplicillium and the rejection of eight generic names, Evlachovaea, Granulomanus, Isaria, Lecanicillium, Microhilum, Phytocordyceps, Synsterigmatocystis, and Torrubiella. Two new generic names, Hevansia and Blackwellomyces, and a new species, Beauveria blattidicola, are described. New combinations are also proposed in the genera Akanthomyces, Beauveria, Blackwellomyces, and Hevansia.

INTRODUCTION

A molecular phylogenetic investigation of Clavicipitaceae, with an emphasis on Cordyceps, was conducted by Sung and revealed that both Clavicipitaceae and Cordyceps were not monophyletic. Two additional families, Cordycipitaceae and Ophiocordycipitaceae, were recognized and species previously classified in Cordyceps were supported as members of all three families. Clavicipitaceae and Ophiocordycipitaceae collectively formed a monophyletic group, whereas Cordycipitaceae, defined by the phylogenetic position of the type species of Cordyceps, C. militaris, shared a more recent common ancestor with Hypocreaceae. The majority of sexually reproducing species in Cordyceps s. str. produce stalked, erect stromatic ascomata that are fleshy in texture, but some species are characterized by reduced stipes or subiculate stromata. Stromata are frequently bright yellow to orange or red, but others are pallid to cream or white according to species.

In addition to Cordyceps, numerous genera for sexual morphs have been included in Cordycipitaceae, the most speciose and taxonomically problematic being Torrubiella. Torrubiella has traditionally been used to classify pathogens of spiders or less frequently scale insects that produce superficial perithecia, frequently on a subiculum. Work by Johnson showed the genus to be polyphyletic with species of Torrubiella being placed in Cordyceps and Ophiocordyceps (Ophiocordycipitaceae) as well as the new genera Conoideocrella and Orbiocrella of Clavicipitaceae. Torrubiella is now restricted to Cordycipitaceae infecting spiders with most possessing asexual morphs that had been referred to as Akanthomyces or Gibellula (Johnson , Evans 2013). Other genera in Cordycipitaceae produce perithecia on a subiculum, including Ascopolyporus and Hyperdermium, but these differ from Torrubiella in being pathogens of scale insects (Bischoff ). Phytocordyceps is a monotypic genus described for P. ninchukispora, which molecular data determined to be nested within Cordyceps (Sung ), although, it is unusual for the genus with respect to host affiliation and ascospore morphology. The host is reported as a seed of Beilschmiedia erythrophloia (Lauraceae), although closely related Cordyceps species attack pupae of Limacodidae, which superficially resemble globose seeds. The ascospores feature swollen ends connected by a long, narrowed mid-section, a morphology referred to as bola-ascospores (Eriksson 1982) that are also present in C. bifusispora and C. cf. pruinosa (Sung ).

Asexual morphs in Cordycipitaceae have been classified under many different names, and species of Cordyceps have been associated with a diversity of asexual reproductive morphologies. Many of these asexually typified genera have been demonstrated to be polyphyletic across Hypocreales. One of the oldest names for an asexually typified genus in Cordycipitaceae is Isaria. The use of Isaria has varied greatly over time and many associations outside of Hypocreales have been observed (Samson 1974, Luangsa-ard ). The currently accepted concept of the genus was established by Hodge , who designated a drawing of I. farinosa by Holmskjold from 1781 as the lectotype for the genus. This definition set arthropod-infecting species in Hypocreales apart from morphologically similar Paecilomyces in Eurotiales. Molecular data supported this distinction (Luangsa-ard ), but also revealed a polyphyletic distribution of Isaria species in Hypocreales (Luangsa-ard ). Taxonomic transfers for species with isarioid morphologies in the families Clavicipitaceae and Ophiocordycipitaceae have also been made in more inclusive investigations (Johnson , Luangsa-ard , Kepler , Quandt , Ban , Spatafora ).

Within Cordycipitaceae, the asexually typified generic names Lecanicillium and Simplicillium were described for verticillium-like taxa. Species in Lecanicillium are distributed throughout Cordycipitaceae and do not form a single monophyletic clade (Sukarno ). The type of Lecanicillium is L. lecanii, known as the asexual morph of C. confragosa, which was described as a Torrubiella based on its host association with scale insects and the production of superficial torrubielloid perithecia (Evans & Samson 1982). The asexual morph of C. militaris is also morphologically similar to Lecanicillium (Gams & Zare 2001). Relationships for species of Lecanicillium include affinities with isolates morphologically similar to I. farinosa and a unique clade of species characterized by L. psalliotae (Sung , 2007). Simplicillium identifies a clade of species that is sister to the remaining Cordycipitaceae; no known sexual form has been linked to the genus (Nonaka ). The morphology is that of slender, elongate, mostly solitary phialides producing singular or short chains of conidia (Zare & Gams 2001). These species are mostly pathogens of fungi, although occurrence on other substrates (e.g. air, soil, plants) is known (Nonaka ).

Perhaps the best-known asexually typified generic name in Cordycipitaceae is Beauveria, due to its role in the development of the germ theory of disease and its long-standing use as a biocontrol agent against pest insects. Agostino Bassi demonstrated in 1834 that B. bassiana (a fungus that bears his name) was the cause of white muscardine disease of silkworm, which resulted in considerable loss to the silk industry in Europe (Yarrow 1958). This represented the first demonstration of pathogenic activity by a disease agent, predating Pasteur, who cited Bassi in his papers (Porter 1973). Today, the pathogenic ability of B. bassiana is intensely scrutinized in the effort to improve control of insect pests (Xiao ). Beauveria is defined by the distinctive conidiogenous cells that elongate in a sympodial pattern to produce a zig-zag rachis-like structure. Molecular phylogenies support the monophyly of Beauveria, confirming the phylogenetic utility of this form of conidiogenesis, especially when combined with other characters (e.g., hydrophobic conidia, insect pathogenicity; Rehner ). The genus is highly diverse, with many cryptic species, and links to several sexually typified species in Cordyceps (Rehner & Buckley 2005, Rehner ). These include the moth pathogen C. bassiana (Huang ), and the beetle pathogens C. brongniartii (Shimazu ) and C. scarabaeicola (Shrestha ), as well as pathogens of grasshoppers, stick insects, and cockroaches from South America (Sanjuan ), and crickets from Thailand (Ariyawansa ).

Other asexually typified genera that produce conidia on a rachis-like conidiophore include Evlachovaea, Engyodontium, and Parengyodontium. A molecular investigation of Evlachovaea based on ITS and TEF data, including material from the ex-type strain of E. kintrischica, revealed a close association with some species placed in Isaria (Humber ). They demonstrated this generic name was a later synonym of Isaria, but no formal transfer to the genus was made at that time. Likewise, molecular data have supported the separation of Engyodontium from Beauveria, and the classification of P. album as distinct from Engyodontium (Tsang ). Finally, the monotypic genus Microhilum was described for the asexual morph of a Cordyceps (Yip & Rath 1989). It produces short conidiophores that give rise to conidium-producing denticles and is morphologically similar to Beauveria and Isaria; molecular data, however, place this species close to C. militaris and C. kyusyuensis (Sung ).

Several asexually typified genera are associated with Torrubiella, the two most common being Akanthomyces and Gibellula. A revision of Akanthomyces by Mains (1950) included species forming hyaline conidia of various shapes on phialides covering a cylindrical synnema in a hymenium-like layer, with superficial similarity to species of Hymenostilbe. The type species of Akanthomyces, A. aculeatus, primarily infects Lepidoptera. Cordyceps tuberculata is linked to A. pistillariiformis, a pathogen of moths and a close relative of A. aculeatus. Gibellula species are pathogens of spiders and produce synnemata with swollen conidiophores reminiscent of Aspergillus. Other minor asexual genera include Granulomanus, which is now considered to be a synonym of Gibellula (Humber & Rombach 1987), and Pseudogibellula, which is a synonym of Ophiocordyceps (Spatafora ).

As summarized above, the taxonomic history of Cordycipitaceae is complex and involves numerous sexual and asexually typified names that have been used throughout Hypocreales. Here we present a phylogenetically informed resolution of competing generic names in Cordycipitaceae in order to determine the generic names to use since the end of dual nomenclature for different morphs of the same fungus in 2011 (McNeill ). In making decisions on names, we sought to harmonize the competing interests among name priority, preferences of user communities, the number of name changes required, and recognition of monophyletic groups from molecular phylogenetic analyses. We also introduce new generic and species names where data support a straightforward taxonomic solution.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This work employs the data used in name reconciliation for Ophiocordycipitaceae by Quandt , additional published sequences obtained from GenBank (Bischoff , Rehner , Humber , Sanjuan ), and sequences determined as part of this work (Table 1). Phylogenetic analyses utilized data from five nuclear genes, including the small and large subunits of nuclear encoded ribosomal DNA genes (SSU and LSU), the protein coding genes translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF), and the largest (RPB1) and second largest (RPB2) subunits of RNA polymerase II, and representatives for the type species of sexual and asexual genera throughout the family (Table 1). After assembly of raw sequencing reads with CodonCode Aligner, version 2.0.6 (Dedham, MA) sequences were aligned with representative sequences from throughout Hypocreales as in Quandt using MAFFT v.6 (Katoh , Katoh & Toh 2008). After alignment, gaps, introns and ambiguously aligned regions identified with Gblocks (Talavera & Castresana 2007) were removed using the editing capacity of Geneious v. 7.0.6 (Biomatters; available from http://www.geneious.com). Maximum likelihood analysis was performed with RAxML v. 8.2.8 employing a GTRGAMMA model of nucleotide substitution. The dataset was divided into eleven separate partitions, one for each ribosomal gene and one each for of the three codon positions in protein coding genes. The resulting phylogenetic framework serves as a guide to resolve conflicts between competing names for sexually and asexually typified generic names.

Table 1.

Proposed list of generic names in Cordycipitaceae to be protected and their competing synonyms.

Proposed to protect	Proposed to reject
Akanthomyces Lebert in Z. Wiss. Zool. 9: 449. 1858.	(=) Torrubiella Boud. in Rev Mycol. (Toulouse) 7: 226. 1885.
Typus: Akanthomyces aculeatus Lebert 1858.	Typus: T. aranicida Boud. 1885.
	(=) Lecanicillium W. Gams & Zare in Nova Hedwigia 72: 50. 2001.
	Typus: L. lecanii (Zimm.) Zare & W. Gams 2001, now regarded as Akanthomyces lecanii (Zimm.) Spatafora et al. 2017.
Ascopolyporus Möller in Bot. Mitt. Tropen 9: 300. 1901.
Typus: Ascopolyporus polychrous Möller 1901.
Beauveria Vuill. in Bull. Soc. Bot. France. 59: 40. 1912.
Typus: Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. 1912 (Botrytis bassiana Bals.-Criv. 1835).
Blackwellomyces Spatafora & Luangsa-ard in IMA Fungus 8: 345. 2017.
Typus: Blackwelliella cardinalis (G.H. Sung & Spatafora) Spatafora & Luangsa-ard 2017) Cordyceps cardinalis G.H. Sung & Spatafora 2004).
Cordyceps Fr., Observ. Mycol. 2: 316 [cancellans)] 1818, nom. cons.	(=) Isaria Pers. in Neues Mag.Bot.1: 121. 1794.
Typus: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr. 1818 (Clavaria militaris L.1753).	Typus: I. farinosa (Holmsk.) Fr. 1832, now regarded as Cordyceps farinosa (Holmsk.) Kepler et al. 2017.
	(=) Microhilum H.Y. Yip & A.C. Rath in J. Invert. Path. 53: 361. 1989.
	Typus: M. oncoperae H.Y. Yip & A.C. Rath 1989, now regarded as Cordyceps oncoperae (H.Y. Yip & A.C. Rath) Kepler et al. 2017.
	(=) Phytocordyceps C.H. Su & H.H. Wang in Mycotaxon 26: 338. 1986.
	Typus: P. ninchukispora C.H. Su & H.H. Wang 1986. now regarded as Cordyceps ninchukispora (C.H. Su & H.H. Wang) G.H. Sung et al. 2007.
	(=) Evlachovaea Borisov & Tarasov in Mikol. Fitopatol. 33: 250. 1999.
	Typus: E. kintrischica B.A. Borisov & Tarasov 1999, now regarded as Cordyceps kintrischica (B.A. Borisov & Tarasov) Kepler et al. 2017.
Engyodontium de Hoog in Persoonia 10: 53. 1978.
Typus: Engyodontium parvisporum (Petch) de Hoog 1978 (Rhinotrichum parvispora Petch 1932).
Gibellula Cavara in Atti Ist. Bot. R. Univ. Pavia, ser. 2 3: 347. 1894.	(=) Synsterigmatocystis Costantin in Bull. Soc. Mycol. France 4: 63. 1888.
Typus: Gibellula pulchra Cavara 1894.	Typus: S. arachnophila Costantin ex Vuill. 1888, now regarded as Gibellula arachnophila (Ditmar) Vuill. 1910.
	(=) Granulomanus de Hoog & Samson in Persoonia 10: 70. 1978.
	Typus: G. aranearum (Petch) de Hoog & Samson 1978, basionym: Cylindrophora aranearum Petch 1944.
Hevansia Luangsa-ard, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora in IMA Fungus 8: 348. 2017.
Typus: Hevansia novoguineensis (Samson & B.L. Brady) Luangsa-ard, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora 2017 (Akanthomyces novoguineensis Samson & B.L. Brady 1982).
Hyperdermium J.F. White et al. in Mycologia 92: 910. 2000.
Typus: Hyperdermium caulium (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Chaverri & K.T. Hodge 2008 (Corticium caulium Berk. & M.A. Curtis 1854 [1853]).
Parengyodontium C.C. Tsang et al. in Medical Mycology 54: 708. 2016.
Typus: Parengyodontium album (Limber) C.C. Tsang et al. 2016 (Tritirachium album Limber 1940).
Simplicillium W. Gams & Zare in Nova Hedwigia 73: 38, 2001.
Typus: Simplicillium lanosiniveum (J.F.H. Beyma) Zare & W. Gams 2001 (Phalosporium lanosoniveum J.F.H. Beyma 1942).

For description of new species, collections were rehydrated in sterilized water. Perithecia, asci, ascospores and part-spores were examined on a Leica DMRB compound microscope and Leica M28 stereomicroscope. Methuen Handbook of Color (Kornerup ) was used for colour descriptions of stromata.

RESULTS

The overall topology recovered in this analysis agrees with that of previous works (Fig. 1; Sung , Johnson , Nonaka , Quandt ). The family Cordycipitaceae is well supported, as are many of the internal nodes, and this phylogenetic hypothesis for the family supports the recognition of the genera Akanthomyces, Ascopolyporus, Beauveria, Cordyceps, Engyodontium, Gibellula, Hyperdermium, and Simplicillium. Parengyodontium was not sampled due to insufficient sequence data. Additionally, we describe two new genera, Hevansia and Blackwellomyces, to accommodate two clades of species without available generic names, and a new species of Beauveria, B. blattidicola, that infects cockroaches. We do not use Evlachovaea, Isaria, Lecanicillium, Microhilum, and Torrubiella and propose that they be rejected along with other lesser-known names (Table 2). There exist clades and lineages containing species named in Cordyceps, Lecanicillium and Torrubiella that are not members of the clades containing the type species of those genera; these are effectively treated as incertae sedis. Below we discuss the major genera of Cordycipitaceae for which sufficient sampling is available. In all cases, proposed genera are the least inclusive clades defined in the reference phylogeny as the terminal generic clade (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1.

RAxML tree of Cordycipitaceae. Dataset included 392 taxa and a concatenated alignment of 4569 bp from five nuclear genes (SSU, LSU, TEF, RPB1, and RPB2). Tips in bold represent examples of type species for their associated genera. Proposed genus level names to protect are delimited, but names of individual species have not been changed on the leaves of the tree, demonstrating diversity of taxa sampled. Values above branches are bootstrap proportions.

Table 2.

Voucher information and Genbank numbers for samples appearing in Figure 1.

Species	Collection	nrSSU	nrLSU	TEF	RPB1	RPB2
Akanthomyces aculeatus	HUA 186145	MF416572	MF416520	MF416465
Akanthomyces arachnophilus	NHJ 10469	EU369090	EU369031	EU369008	EU369047
Akanthomyces cinereus	NHJ 3510	EU369091		EU369009	EU369048	EU369070
Akanthomyces novoguineensis	NHJ 13117	EU369092		EU369010	EU369049	EU369073
Akanthomyces novoguineensis	NHJ 13161	EU369093		EU369011	EU369050
Akanthomyces novoguineensis	NHJ 4314	EU369094		EU369012	EU369051	EU369071
Akanthomyces novoguineensis	NHJ 11923	EU369095	EU369032	EU369013	EU369052	EU369072
Akanthomyces pistillariaeformis	HUA 186131	MF416573	MF416521	MF416466
Ascopolyporus polychrous	P.C. 546		DQ118737	DQ118745	DQ127236
Ascopolyporus villosus	ARSEF 6355		AY886544	DQ118750	DQ127241
Beauveria bassiana	ARSEF 1564			HQ880974	HQ880833	HQ880905
Beauveria blattidicola	MCA 1727	MF416593	MF416539	MF416483	MF416640
Beauveria blattidicola	MCA 1814	MF416594	MF416540	MF416484	MF416641
Beauveria brongniartii	ARSEF 617			HQ880991	HQ880854	HQ880926
Beauveria caledonica	ARSEF 2567	AF339570	AF339520	EF469057	EF469086
Beauveria malawiensis	ARSEF 7760			DQ376246	HQ880897	HQ880969
Beauveria pseudobassiana	ARSEF 3405			AY531931	HQ880864	HQ880936
Cordyceps acridophila	MCA 1181	MF416574	MF416522		MF416628
Cordyceps acridophila	HUA 179220	JQ895527	JQ895536	JQ958614	JX003852	JX003842
Cordyceps acridophila	HUA 179219		JQ895541	JQ958613	JX003857	JX003841
Cordyceps acridophila	HUA 179221	JQ895526	JQ895537	JQ958615	JX003853	JX003843
Cordyceps albocitrina	spat 07-174	MF416575		MF416467	MF416629
Cordyceps bifusispora	EFCC 5690	EF468952	EF468806	EF468746	EF468854	EF468909
Cordyceps bifusispora	EFCC 8260	EF468953	EF468807	EF468747	EF468855	EF468910
Cordyceps bifusispora	spat 08-129	MF416576	MF416523	MF416468	MF416630
Cordyceps bifusispora	spat 08-133.1	MF416577	MF416524	MF416469	MF416631	MF416434
Cordyceps brongniartii	BCC 16585	JF415951	JF415967	JF416009	JN049885	JF415991
Cordyceps caloceroides	MCA 2249	MF416578	MF416525	MF416470	MF416632
Cordyceps caloceroides	QCNE 186715	MF416579	MF416526
Cordyceps cardinalis	OSC 93609	AY184973	AY184962	DQ522325	DQ522370	DQ522422
Cordyceps cardinalis	OSC 93610	AY184974	AY184963	EF469059	EF469088	EF469106
Cordyceps cf. cardinalis	spat 09-052	MF416580	MF416527	MF416471	MF416633	MF416435
Cordyceps cf. ochraceostromata	ARSEF 5691	EF468964	EF468819	EF468759	EF468867	EF468921
Cordyceps cf. pruniosa	spat 08-115	MF416586	MF416532	MF416476	MF416635	MF416439
Cordyceps cf. pruniosa	spat 09-021	MF416587	MF416533	MF416477	MF416636
Cordyceps cf. takaomontana	NHJ 12623	EF468984	EF468838	EF468778	EF468884	EF468932
Cordyceps cf. takaomontana	BCC 12688	MF416599	MF416545	MF416489	MF416646
Cordyceps coccidioperitheciata	NHJ 5112	EU369109	EU369043	EU369026	EU369066
Cordyceps coccidioperitheciata	NHJ 6709	EU369110	EU369042	EU369025	EU369067	EU369086
Cordyceps confragosa	spat 08-146	MF416581	MF416528	MF416472	MF416634	MF416436
Cordyceps diapheromeriphila	MCA 1557	MF416582	MF416529
Cordyceps diapheromeriphila	QCNE 186714	MF416601	MF416547	MF416491	MF416648
Cordyceps diapheromeriphila	QCNE 186272	JQ895530	JQ895534	JQ958610	JX003848
Cordyceps exasperata	MCA 2155	MF416596	MF416542	MF416486	MF416643
Cordyceps exasperata	MCA 2288	MF416592	MF416538	MF416482	MF416639
Cordyceps kyusyuensis	EFCC 5886	EF468960	EF468813	EF468754	EF468863	EF468917
Cordyceps locustiphila	HUA 179218	JQ895525	JQ895535	JQ958619	JX003846	JX003845
Cordyceps locustiphila	HUA 179219	JQ958598	JQ958597		JX003847
Cordyceps militaris	OSC 93623	AY184977	AY184966	DQ522332	DQ522377	AY545732
Cordyceps nelumboides	BCC 2093	MF416583	MF416530	MF416473		MF416437
Cordyceps nelumboides	BCC 2190	MF416584	MF416531	MF416474
Cordyceps nelumboides	TNS 16306	MF416585		MF416475		MF416438
Cordyceps ninchuckispora	EFCC 5197	EF468965	EF468820	EF468760	EF468868
Cordyceps ninchuckispora	EFCC 5693	EF468966	EF468821	EF468762	EF468869
Cordyceps ninchuckispora	NHJ 10627	EF468967	lEF468822	EF468763	EF468870
Cordyceps ninchuckispora	NHJ 10684	EF468968	EF468823	EF468761	EF468871
Cordyceps ninchukispora	EGS 38.165	EF468991	EF468846	EF468795	EF468900
Cordyceps ninchukispora	EGS 38.166	EF468992	EF468847	EF468794	EF468901
Cordyceps piperis	CBS 116719		AY466442	DQ118749	DQ127240	EU369083
Cordyceps polyarthra	MCA 996	MF416597	MF416543	MF416487	MF416644
Cordyceps polyarthra	MCA 1009	MF416598	MF416544	MF416488	MF416645
Cordyceps pseudomilitaris	BCC 1919	MF416588	MF416534	MF416478		MF416440
Cordyceps pseudomilitaris	BCC 2091	MF416589	MF416535	MF416479		MF416441
Cordyceps rosea	spat 09-053	MF416590	MF416536	MF416480	MF416637	MF416442
Cordyceps scarabaeicola	ARSEF 5689	AF339574	AF339524	DQ522335	DQ522380	DQ522431
Cordyceps sp.	EFCC 2535	EF468980	EF468835	EF468772
Cordyceps sp.	RCEF HP090724-04C	MF416591	MF416537	MF416481	MF416638	MF416443
Cordyceps staphylinidicola	ARSEF 5718	EF468981	EF468836	EF468776	EF468881
Cordyceps takaomontana	MCA 1806	MF416595	MF416541	MF416485	MF416642
Cordyceps tuberculata	OSC 111002	DQ522553	DQ518767	DQ522338	DQ522384	DQ522435
Cordyceps tuberculata	BCC 16819	MF416600	MF416546	MF416490	MF416647	MF416444
Engyodontium aranearum	CBS 309.85	AF339576	AF339526	DQ522341	DQ522387	DQ522439
Evlachovaea kintrischica	ARSEF 7218			GU734751
Evlachovaea kintrischica	ARSEF 8058			GU734750
Gibellula leiopus	BCC 16025	MF416602	MF416548	MF416492	MF416649
Gibellula longispora	NHJ 12014	EU369098		EU369017	EU369055	EU369075
Gibellula pulchra	NHJ 10808	EU369099	EU369035	EU369018	EU369056	EU369076
Gibellula sp.	NHJ 10788	EU369101	EU369036	EU369019	EU369058	EU369078
Gibellula sp.	NHJ 13158	EU369100	EU369037	EU369020	EU369057	EU369077
Gibellula sp.	NHJ 5401	EU369102			EU369059	EU369079
Hyperdermium caulium	GenBank AF242354		AF242354
Hyperdermium pulvinatum	P.C. 602		DQ118738	DQ118746	DQ127237
Isaria amoenerosea	CBS 107.73	AY526464	MF416550	MF416494	MF416651	MF416445
Isaria amoenerosea	CBS 729.73	MF416604	MF416551	MF416495	MF416652	MF416446
Isaria cf. farinosa	OSC 111004	EF468986	EF468840	EF468780	EF468886
Isaria cicadae	RCEF HP090724-31	MF416605	MF416552	MF416496	MF416653	MF416447
Isaria coleopterorum	CBS 110.73	JF415965	JF415988	JF416028	JN049903	JF416006
Isaria farinosa	OSC 111005	DQ522558	DQ518772	DQ522348	DQ522394
Isaria farinosa	OSC 111006	EF469127	EF469080	EF469065	EF469094
Isaria farinosa	CBS 240.32	JF415958	JF415979	JF416019	JN049895	JF415999
Isaria farinosa	CBS 262.58	AB023943	AB080087	MF416497	MF416654	MF416448
Isaria farinosa	CBS 541.81	MF416606	MF416553	MF416498	MF416655	MF416449
Isaria farinosa	CBS 111113	AY526474	MF416554	MF416499	MF416656	MF416450
Isaria fumosorosea	CBS 337.52	MF416607	MF416555	MF416500	MF416657	MF416451
Isaria fumosorosea	CBS 375.70	AB083035	AB083035	MF416501	MF416658	MF416452
Isaria fumosorosea	CBS 107.10	MF416608	MF416556	MF416502	MF416659	MF416453
Isaria fumosorosea	CBS 244.31	MF416609	MF416557	MF416503	MF416660	MF416454
Isaria javanica	CBS 134.22	MF416610	MF416558	MF416504	MF416661	MF416455
Isaria sp.	TNS 16333	MF416611		MF416505	MF416662	MF416456
Isaria sp.	spat 09-050	MF416613	MF416559	MF416506	MF416663	MF416457
Isaria sp.	spat 09-051	MF416614	MF416560	MF416507	MF416664	MF416458
Isaria tenuipes	OSC 111007	DQ522559	DQ518773	DQ522349	DQ522395	DQ522449
Isaria tenuipes	ARSEF 5135	MF416612	JF415980	JF416020	JN049896	JF416000
Lecanicillium antillanum	CBS 350.85	AF339585	AF339536	DQ522350	DQ522396	DQ522450
Lecanicillium aranearum	CBS 726.73a	AF339586	AF339537	EF468781	EF468887	EF468934
Lecanicillium attenuatum	CBS 402.78	AF339614	AF339565	EF468782	EF468888	EF468935
Lecanicillium fusisporum	CBS 164.7	AF339598	AF339549	EF468783	EF468889
Lecanicillium lecanii	CBS 101247	AF339604	AF339555	DQ522359	DQ522407	DQ522466
Lecanicillium psalliotae	CBS 532.81	AF339609	AF339560	EF469067	EF469096	EF469112
Lecanicillium psalliotae	CBS 101270	EF469128	EF469081	EF469066	EF469095	EF469113
Lecanicillium psalliotae	CBS 363.86	AF339608	AF339559	EF468784	EF468890
Mariannaea pruinosa	ARSEF 5413	AY184979	AY184968	DQ522351	DQ522397	DQ522451
Microhilum oncoperae	AFSEF 4358	AF339581	AF339532	EF468785	EF468891	EF468936
Simplicillium lamellicola	CBS 116.25	AF339601	AF339552	DQ522356	DQ522404	DQ522462
Simplicillium lanosoniveum	CBS 101267	AF339603	AF339554	DQ522357	DQ522405	DQ522463
Simplicillium lanosoniveum	CBS 704.86	AF339602	AF339553	DQ522358	DQ522406	DQ522464
Simplicillium obclavatum	CBS 311.74	AF339567	AF339517	EF468798
Torrubiella ratticaudata	ARSEF 1915	DQ522562	DQ518777	DQ522360	DQ522408	DQ522467
Torrubiella sp.	NHJ 7859	EU369107			EU369064	EU369085
Torrubiella wallacei	CBS 101237	AY184978	AY184967	EF469073	EF469102	EF469119
Verticillium sp.	CBS 102184	AF339613	AF339564	EF468803	EF468907	EF468948

TAXONOMY

Akanthomyces Lebert, Z. Wiss. Zool. 9: 449 (1858).

Type: Akanthomyces aculeatus Lebert, Z. Wiss. Zool. 9: 449 (1858).

The genus Akanthomyces as proposed by Lebert (1858), including the type A. aculeatus, primarily infects Lepidoptera and forms a clade distinct from Beauveria and Cordyceps. It includes the moth pathogen Cordyceps tuberculata, which is linked to an asexual morph described as A. pistillariiformis (Samson & Evans 1974). Other fungi in this clade include C. coccidioperitheciata and C. confragosa, pathogens of spiders and scales insects, respectively, which produce torrubielloid perithecia (Kobayasi & Shimizu 1982). The production of superficial perithecia on a stipe distinguishes C. coccidioperitheciata from other sexual forms infecting spiders in Cordycipitaceae, which either lack a stipe or lack superficial perithecia if a stipe is present. Cordyceps confragosa was described by Mains (1949) in Torrubiella, and while the morphology is torrubielloid, Akanthomyces has taxonomic priority by date over Torrubiella (Boudier 1885). In addition, the sexual morph C. confragosa is linked to Lecanicillium lecanii, the type species of Lecanicillium, now considered a synonym of Akanthomyces, which has priority over Lecanicillium (Gams & Zare 2001). Chiriví-Salomón also showed that L. lecanii (as C. confragosa) as well as some other species of Lecanicillium, namely L. attenuatum, L. muscarium, and L. sabanense, fall within Akanthomyces. Akanthomyces also includes asexually typified species names previously assigned to the genus Isaria, but not the type species, I. farinosa, which belongs in Cordyceps. In general, the host range for asexual and sexual forms of Akanthomyces are similar, although L. attenuatum (CBS 402.78) was cultured from leaf litter with no host reported. The morphological characters associated with Akanthomyces are also found in a clade of spider-pathogenic species sister to the Gibellula clade (see Hevansia below).

The type species of Torrubiella, T. aranicida, known from a spider in France, was not available for inclusion in molecular phylogenetic analyses. However, several morphological characteristics of T. aranicida suggest that it may belong in Akanthomyces. These include the superficial and separated arrangement of the perithecia and the lack of a subiculum in the type specimen as shown in Johnson . A number of sexual morphs now placed in Akanthomyces have torrubielloid ascomata, specifically A. coccidioperitheciatus on spiders, A. lecanii on scale insects, and A. tuberculata on moths.

Akanthomyces attenuatus (Zare & W. Gams) Spatafora, Kepler & B. Shrestha, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820860

Basionym: Lecanicillium attenuatum Zare & W. Gams, Nova Hedwigia 73: 19 (2001).

Akanthomyces coccidioperitheciatus (Kobayasi & Shimizu) Spatafora, Kepler & B. Shrestha, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820880

Basionym: Cordyceps coccidioperitheciata Kobayasi & Shimizu, Bull. Natl. Sci. Mus. Tokyo, B 8: 79 (1982).

Akanthomyces dipterigenus (Petch) Spatafora, Kepler, Zare & B. Shrestha, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB823235

Basionym: Cephalosporium dipterigenum Petch, Naturalist (Hull) 56: 102 (1931).

Synonyms: Cephalosporium longisporum Petch, Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 10: 166 (1925).

Lecanicillium longisporum (Petch) Zare & W. Gams, Nova Hedwigia 73: 16 (2001).

? Acrostalagmus aphidum Oudem., Nederl. Kruidk. Arch. 3(2): 759 (1902) [no type collection found in L, only a drawing which does not allow a definite conclusion].

Non Verticillium longisporum (Stark) Karapappa et al., Mycol. Res. 101: 1293 (1997).

Non Akanthomyces longisporus B. Huang et al., Mycosystema 19: 172 (2000).

Akanthomyces lecanii (Zimm.) Spatafora, Kepler & B. Shrestha, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820881

Basionym: Cephalosporium lecanii Zimm., Teysmania 9: 241 (1899).

Synonyms: Verticillium lecanii (Zimm.) Viégas, Revista Inst. Café Estado São Paulo 14: 754 (1939).

Lecanicillium lecanii (Zimm.) Zare & W. Gams, Nova Hedwigia 73: 10 (2001).

Torrubiella confragosa Mains, Mycologia 41: 305 (1949).

Cordyceps confragosa (Mains) G.H. Sung et al., Stud. Mycol. 57: 49 (2007).

Hirsutella confragosa Mains, Mycologia 41: 303 (1949).

For further synonyms see Zare & Gams (2001).

Akanthomyces muscarius (Petch) Spatafora, Kepler & B. Shrestha, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820861

Basionym: Cephalosporium muscarium Petch, Naturalist (Hull) 56: 102 (1931).

Synonyms: Lecanicillium muscarium (Petch) Zare & W. Gams, Nova Hedwigia 73: 13 (2001).

Cephalosporium aphidicola Petch, Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 16: 71 (1931).

Verticillium hemileiae Bouriquet, Encycl. Mycol. 12: 155 (1946).

For further synonyms see Zare & Gams (2001).

Akanthomyces sabanensis (J.S. Chiriví-Salomón et al.) J.S. Chiriví-Salomón, T. Sanjuan & S. Restrepo, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820862

Basionym: Lecanicillium sabanense J.S. Chiriví-Salomón et al., Phytotaxa 234: 68 (2015).

Akanthomyces tuberculatus (Lebert) Spatafora, Kepler & B. Shrestha, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820863

Basionym: Akrophyton tuberculatum Lebert, Z. Wiss. Zool. 9: 448 (1858).

Synonyms: Cordyceps tuberculata (Lebert) Maire, Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Afrique N. 8: 165 (1917).

Isaria pistillariiformis Pat., Bull. Soc. Mycol. Fr. 9: 163 (1893); as “pistillariaeformis”.

Insecticola pistillariiformis (Pat.) Mains, Mycologia 42: 579 (1950); as “pistillariaeformis”.

Akanthomyces pistillariiformis (Pat.) Samson & H.C. Evans, Acta Bot. Neerl. 23: 29 (1974).

Ascopolyporus Möller, Bot. Mitt. Tropen 9: 300 (1901).

Type: Ascopolyporus polychrous Möller, Bot. Mitt. Tropen 9: 300 (1901).

Ascopolyporus is a genus containing seven species, represented in this study by the type A. polychrous and A. villosus. These two species are strongly supported as monophyletic, however their relationship to other taxa in Cordycipitaceae remains poorly resolved. Sexual or asexual morphologies have been observed in individual collections of Ascopolyporus, and they co-occur in some species (Bischoff ). In the sexual form perithecia are produced in a dense hyphal mat directly on top of the scale insect host, and the appearance is similar to that of species in Hypocrella or Moelleriella in Clavicipitaceae. Ascopolyporus species produce multiseptate conidia, a feature also found in Hyperdermium. Ascopolyporus shares another characteristic with some species in Hypocrella in the apparent utilization of plant resources via the scale insect cadaver to attain sizes greatly in excess of the original host (Hywel-Jones & Samuels 1998, Bischoff , Chaverri ).

Beauveria Vuill., Bull. Soc. Bot. France 59: 40 (1912).

Type: Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill., Bull. Soc. Bot. France 59: 40 (1912).

The recognition of Beauveria as a genus separate from Cordyceps is a significant change for Cordycipitaceae; their respective type species are not congeneric. The morphological features that unite species of Beauveria have proved remarkably durable over time and no isolates described from other asexually typified genera are known in this clade. Direct links between species of Beauveria and cordyceps-like sexual morphs are well established from molecular data and culture-based experiments, including B. bassiana (Li , Huang ), B. brongniartii (Shimizu ), and B. sungii (Shrestha ). The host range for the asexual morphs is extensive, infecting many insect species across multiple orders (de Faria & Wraight 2007) as well as being isolated from soil and as foliar endophytes (Vega ). The sexual morphs are known from Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, and Phasmatodea, and here we also describe a new species from Blattodea, expanding the known host range of sexual morphs of Beauveria.

Beauveria acridophila (T. Sanjuan & Franco-Mol.) T. Sanjuan, B. Shrestha, Kepler & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820883

Basionym: Cordyceps acridophila T. Sanjuan & Franco-Mol., Mycologia 106: 268 (2014).

Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill., Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr. 59: 40 (1912).

Basionym: Botrytis bassiana Bals.-Criv., Linnaea 10: 611 (1835).

Synonyms: Spicaria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill., Bull. Soc. Sc. Nancy, ser. 3, 10: 153 (1910).

Penicillium bassianum (Bals.-Criv.) Biourge, Cellule 33: 101 (1923).

Cordyceps bassiana Z.Z. Li et al., Chin. Sci. Bull. 9: 751 (2001).

Beauveria blattidicola M. Chen, Aime, T.W. Henkel & Spatafora, sp. nov. (Fig. 2)

Fig. 2.

Beauveria blattidicola (MCA1727 – holotype). A. Fresh stroma on cockroach. B. Dried stroma on cockroach. C. Stroma with partially immersed perithecia. D. Perithecia. E. Ascus showing prominent ascus cap. F. Ascus showing cylindrical ascospores. G. Part-spores. H. End of ascus showing ascus foot. Bars: A–B = 4 mm; C= 150 μm; D = 50 μm; E–H = 5 μm.

MycoBank MB821050

Etymology: The species epithet refers to the fungus’ occurrence on the host insect family Blattidae.

Diagnosis: Similar in host association to Ophiocordyceps blattarioides but differs in the yellow-orange fleshy stromata, long, sinuous stipe, and cylindrical to narrowly clavate fertile region with partially immersed perithecia.

Type: Guyana: Region 8, Potaro-Siparuni: Pakaraima Mountains, Upper Potaro River Basin, within a 4 km radius of Potaro base camp at 5°18’04.8”N, 59°54’40.4”W, 710–750 m elev.; on adult cockroach, 31 May, 2001, M.C. Aime MCA 1727 (BRG – holotype).

Description: Stromata solitary or paired, unbranched, arising from head or thorax of infected adult of cockroach, with fleshy texture, total length 50–60(–90) mm long; stalk 0.8–1.5 mm broad, light yellow (4A3–4A4); fertile area apical, cylindrical to narrowly clavate, 6-8 × 1.2–1.4 mm, yellowish orange (4A7–4A8). Perithecia partially immersed, darker concolorous, interspersed with white mycelial wefts, presented at right angle to the surface of stroma, in longitudinal section oval to ovoid, 250–370 × 110–250 μm. Asci hyaline, cylindrical, 170–300 × 3–4 μm, with a prominent apical cap 3.0–4.0 μm diam. Ascospores filiform, nearly as long as the asci, smooth, hyaline, distinct irregularly multiseptate, not easily breaking into part-spores. Part-spores 6.0–23.0 × 1.0 μm, cylindrical with truncate ends.

Known distribution: Guyana.

Additional specimens examined: Guyana: Region 8, Potaro-Siparuni: Pakaraima Mountains, Upper Potaro River Basin, within a 4 km radius of Potaro base camp at 5°18’04.8”N, 59°54’40.4”W, 710–750 m elev., on adult cockroach adhered to leaf in litter, 12 June 2000, M.C. Aime MCA 1203 (PUL); on adult cockroach in leaf litter, 14 July 2000, T.W. Henkel TH 7645 (HSC); on adult cockroach, 25 May 2001, M.C. Aime MCA 1628 (PUL); on adult cockroach, 7 June 2001, M.C. Aime MCA 1814 (PUL); on adult cockroach in leaf litter, 24 July 2003, T.W. Henkel TH 8607 (HSC); on adult cockroach on mineral soil below leaf litter, 17 July 2009, T.W. Henkel TH 9049 (OSC); on adult cockroach, partially buried in litter, 27 May 2010, M.C. Aime & L. Williams MCA 4043 (PUL); on adult cockroach, 9 June 2012, M.C. Aime MCA 4883 (PUL).

GenBank: MCA1727 MF416593, MF416539, MF416483, MF416640; MCA1814 MF416594, MF416540, MF416484, MF416641

Commentary: Species of Cordyceps s. lat. infecting cockroaches have rarely been collected in nature. Only two cockroach-associated species are recorded in the literature: Ophiocordyceps blattarioides (Sanjuan ) and O. blattae (Petch 1924, 1931), both classified in Ophiocordycipitaceae. The Neotropical O. blattarioides is associated with adult Blattodea, and is closely related to the morphologically similar adult Orthoptera-associated O. amazonica (Sanjuan ). Ophiocordyceps blattae was described originally from Sri Lanka (as Cordyceps blattae), but the species remains poorly known, as sequence data are lacking, and current taxonomic concepts are based entirely on the original description and drawings of Petch (1924). Based on the possession of ophio-ascospores and clavate asci with reduced apices, O. blattae is likely closely related to O. unilateralis (Petch 1931) and is the type of the genus Ophiocordyceps (Sung ). Beauveria blattidicola is easily distinguished from both O. blattarioides and O. blattae by the combination of yellow to yellowish orange fleshy stromata, the long and sinuous stalk, cylindrical to narrowly clavate fertile region, and partially immersed perithecia typical of other sexual morphs of Beauveria. Molecular data also strongly support the placement of B. blattidicola in Beauveria (Fig. 1). While B. blattidicola cultures are currently unavailable, its phylogenetic placement predicts a Beauveria-type asexual morph.

Beauveria brongniartii (Sacc.) Petch, Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 10: 249 (1926).

Basionym: Botrytis brongniartii Sacc., Syll. Fung. 10: 540 (1892).

Synonym: Cordyceps brongniartii Shimazu, Trans. Mycol. Soc. Japan 29: 328 (1989).

Beauveria diapheromeriphila (T. Sanjuan & S. Restrepo) T. Sanjuan, B. Shrestha, Kepler & Spatafora, comb. nov

MycoBank MB820882

Basionym: Cordyceps diapheromeriphila T. Sanjuan & S. Restrepo, Mycologia 106: 270 (2014).

Beauveria locustiphila (Henn.) B. Shrestha, Kepler & Spatafora, comb. nov

MycoBank MB820884

Basionym: Cordyceps locustiphila Henn., Hedwigia 43: 246 (1904).

Beauveria scarabaeidicola (Kobayasi) S.A. Rehner & Kepler, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820891

Basionym: Cordyceps scarabaeidicola Kobayasi, Bull. Natl. Sci. Mus. Tokyo, B 2: 137 (1976); as “scarabaeicola”.

Synonym: Beauveria sungii S.A. Rehner & R.A. Humber, Mycologia 103: 1070 (2011).

Beauveria staphylinidicola (Kobayasi & Shimizu) B. Shrestha, Kepler & Spatafora, comb. nov

MycoBank MB820895

Basionym: Cordyceps staphylinidicola Kobayasi & Shimizu, Bull. Natl. Sci. Mus. Tokyo, B 8: 88 (1982); as “staphylinidaecola”.

Blackwellomyces Spatafora & Luangsa-ard, gen. nov.

MycoBank MB820864

Etymology: This genus is named for Meredith Blackwell and honours her invaluable contributions to our knowledge of insect-associated fungi.

Diagnosis: Blackwellomyces is the least inclusive genus-level clade that includes the species B. cardinalis and B. pseudomilitaris. Blackwellomyces is diagnosed by the unique characters of the ascospore, which have irregularly spaced septa and do not disarticulate into part-spores at maturity.

Type: Blackwellomyces cardinalis (G.H. Sung & Spatafora) Spatafora & Luangsa-ard 2017.

Description: Sexual morph: Stromata solitary or multiple, simple or branched. Stipe fleshy, orange to red, cylindrical to enlarging apically, 4–50 × 0.5–3.0 mm. Fertile area terminal, cylindrical, fusiform to clavate to irregularly shaped, 2–9 × 1–4 mm. Perithecia crowded, loosely embedded, ordinal in orientation, elliptical to fusiform to obclavate. Asci 8-spored, hyaline, cylindrical, possessing a prominent apex. Ascospores smooth, filiform, hyaline, irregularly multiseptate, not fragmenting into part-spores.

Asexual morph: Cultures moderately fast growing in PDA and may turn the media red. Aerial mycelium is whitish to whitish yellow and the reverse side of cultures is red or cream. Conidiogenous cells phialides, solitary or in whorls of 2 or 3, swollen at the base or slightly flask-shaped, wider near the base and tapering at the apex. Conidia hyaline, aseptate, ellipsoidal to elliptical, in some species produced in sympodially imbricate chains. Asexual morphs have been described as similar to species in Clonostachys, Hirsutella, Isaria, and Mariannaea.

Hosts: On larva of Lepidoptera.

Distribution: Southeastern USA, eastern China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand.

Commentary: The species placed here are supported as a distinct clade and separate from other genera of Cordycipitaceae based on the placement of their type species. We describe these taxa as Blackwellomyces on the basis of their phylogenetic novelty and irregularly septate ascospores that do not disarticulate into part-spores. This contrasts with other members of the family in which septation and disarticulation is common.

Blackwellomyces cardinalis (G.H. Sung & Spatafora) Spatafora & Luangsa-ard, comb. nov. MycoBank MB820865

Basionym: Cordyceps cardinalis G.H. Sung & Spatafora, Mycologia 96: 660 (2004).

Blackwellomyces pseudomilitaris (Hywel-Jones & Sivichai) Spatafora & Luangsa-ard, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820866

Basionym: Cordyceps pseudomilitaris Hywel-Jones & Sivichai, Mycol. Res. 98: 940 (1994).

Cordyceps Fr., Observ. Mycol. 2: 316 [cancellans] (1818), nom. cons.

Type: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr., Observ. Mycol. 2: 317 [cancellans] (1818).

In this analysis, many species of Cordyceps, including the type, are resolved as a well-supported clade interspersed with genera described originally for asexual morphs, including Evlachovaea, Isaria, and Microhilum (Fig. 1). Additionally, our analysis indicates this core Cordyceps is not monophyletic with C. cardinalis and C. pseudomilitaris, a result consistent with Sung ; the latter two species are proposed in the new genus Blackwellomyces here (see above). Within the core Cordyceps clade, internal relationships are generally well-supported, giving rise to a phylogenetic structure that roughly corresponds to stromatal colour (red to orange vs. white to yellow). A thorough review of the taxonomic history of Cordyceps was provided by Shrestha , who concluded that Cordyceps is the oldest accepted generic name in this clade and is typified by a sexual morph. Based on the cylindrical shape of the stroma, pre-Linnaean literature of the 17th and early 18th century had recorded C. militaris, the type species of Cordyceps, under the old but obsolete generic names Fungus and Fungoides (Shrestha ). The species was transferred to Clavaria by Linnaeus (1753). Clavaria militaris was then transferred to the ascomycete genus Sphaeria (now rejected in favour of Hypoxylon), a classification that was followed until the early 19th century (Shrestha ). The genus Cordyceps was established (Fries 1818, Link 1833) and over the years was circumscribed to include pathogens of more than 12 insect orders and the fungal genera Elaphomyces and Claviceps (Kobayasi 1941, Mains 1958, Sung , Kepler , Araújo & Hughes 2016, Shrestha ). This generic concept of Cordyceps stood for approximately 200 years until the polyphyletic nature of Cordyceps as it had been understood by Kobayasi and Mains was revealed (Sung .

Three monotypic generic names are now considered to be synonyms of Cordyceps. Our data confirmed the findings of Humber who demonstrated that the type species of the monotypic Evlachovaea, E. kintrischica, is a synonym of Isaria (see below). Similarly, the type species of Microhilum, M. oncoperae, known to have a Cordyceps sexual morph, was nested within Cordyceps, as is the type species of Phytocordyceps, P. ninchukispora.

The generic name Isaria is the oldest available name for the entire group of taxa considered here, including Cordyceps. However, the concept of Isaria has a long and convoluted history, with many changes of status and differences of opinion in how the name should be applied (e.g. Hodge , Gams ). Petch (1934) concluded the name was too confusing to use and suggested it be applied to a subgenus of Spicaria. However, Hodge lectotypified Isaria sensu Fries using an illustration of I. farinosa that appeared in the original description of this species as Ramaria farinosa (Holmskjold 1781). Gams proposed the use of Isaria for Paecilomyces sect. Isarioidea, now also regarded as a synonym of Cordyceps. Entomogenous species morphologically similar to Isaria can be found distributed throughout Hypocreales (Luangsa-ard ), and here are shown to be polyphyletic within Cordycipitaceae. The ex-epitype isolate of I. farinosa (CBS 111113, Gams ) is here determined to belong within Cordyceps. We therefore propose the rejection of Isaria in favour of Cordyceps owing to the confusion surrounding the application of Isaria. Additionally, rejecting Cordyceps would be disruptive to a large user community while the name Isaria is not as widely used. Species of Isaria are herein integrated into the monophyletic application of Cordyceps. The diversity of species infecting cicada nymphs complicates the transfer of I. cicadae, and will be addressed in a subsequent paper focused on the group.

Cordyceps amoene-rosea (Henn.) Kepler, B. Shrestha & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820975

Basionym: Isaria amoene-rosea Henn., Hedwigia 41: 66 (1902).

Synonym: Paecilomyces amoeneroseus (Henn.) Samson, Stud. Mycol. 6: 37 (1974).

Cordyceps cateniannulata (Z.Q. Liang) Kepler, B. Shrestha & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820976

Basionym: Paecilomyces cateniannulatus Z.Q. Liang, Acta Phytopathol. Sin. 11: 10 (1981).

Synonym: Isaria cateniannulata (Z.Q. Liang) Samson & Hywel-Jones, Mycol. Res. 109: 588 (2005).

Cordyceps cateniobliqua (Z.Q. Liang) Kepler, B. Shrestha & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820977

Basionym: Paecilomyces cateniobliquus Z.Q. Liang, Acta Phytopathol. Sin. 11: 9 (1981).

Synonym: Isaria cateniobliqua (Z.Q. Liang) Samson & Hywel-Jones, Mycol. Res. 109: 588 (2005).

Cordyceps coleopterorum (Samson & H.C. Evans) Kepler, B. Shrestha & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820978

Basionym: Paecilomyces coleopterorum Samson & H.C. Evans, Stud. Mycol. 6: 47 (1974).

Synonym: Isaria coleopterorum (Samson & H.C. Evans) Samson & Hywel-Jones, Mycol. Res. 109: 588 (2005); as “coleopterora”.

Cordyceps farinosa (Holmsk.) Kepler, B. Shrestha & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820979

Basionym: Ramaria farinosa Holmsk., K. Danske Vidensk. Selsks. Skr., Nye Samling 1: 279 (1781).

Synonyms: Clavaria farinosa (Holmsk.) Dicks., Fasc. Pl. Crypt. Brit. 2: 25 (1790).

Isaria farinosa (Holmsk.) Fr., Syst. Mycol. 3: 271 (1832); nom. sanct.

Corynoides farinosa (Holmsk.) Gray, Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 1: 654 (1821).

Spicaria farinosa (Holmsk.) Vuill., Bull. Soc. Mycol. France 27: 76 (1911).

Penicillium farinosum (Holmsk.) Biourge, Cellule 33: 102 (1923).

Paecilomyces farinosus (Holmsk.) A.H.S. Br. & G. Sm., Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 40: 50 (1957).

Cordyceps fumosorosea (Wize) Kepler, B. Shrestha & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820980

Basionym: Isaria fumosorosea Wize, Bull. Int. Acad. Sci. Cracovie, Cl. Sci. Math. Nat.: 721 (1905) [“1904”].

Synonyms: Spicaria fumosorosea (Wize) Vassiljevski, Morbi Plant. 18:146 (1929).

Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Wize) A.H.S. Br. & G. Sm., Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 40: 67 (1957).

Cordyceps ghanensis (Samson & H.C. Evans) Kepler, B. Shrestha & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820981

Basionym: Paecilomyces ghanensis Samson & H.C. Evans, Stud. Mycol. 6: 46 (1974).

Synonym: Isaria ghanensis (Samson & H.C. Evans) Samson & Hywel-Jones, Mycol. Res. 109: 588 (2005).

Cordyceps javanica (Frieder. & Bally) Kepler, B. Shrestha & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820982

Basionym: Spicaria javanica Frieder. & Bally, Meded. Koffiebessenboeboek-Fonds 6: 146 (1923).

Synonyms: Paecilomyces javanicus (Frieder. & Bally) A.H.S. Br. & G. Sm., Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 40: 65 (1957).

Isaria javanica (Frieder. & Bally) Samson & Hywel-Jones, Mycol. Res. 109: 588 (2005).

Cordyceps kintrischica (B.A. Borisov & Tarasov) Kepler, B. Shrestha & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820983

Basionym: Evlachovaea kintrischica B.A. Borisov & Tarasov, Mikol. Fitopatol. 33: 250 (1999).

Cordyceps locusticola (Z.Q. Liang et al.) Kepler, B. Shrestha & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820984

Basionym: Isaria locusticola Z.Q. Liang et al., Mycotaxon 105: 31 (2008).

Cordyceps oncoperae (H.Y. Yip & A.C. Rath) P.J. Wright, J. Invert. Path. 64: 146 (1994).

MycoBank MB363549

Basionym: Microhilum oncoperae H.Y. Yip & A.C. Rath, J. Invert. Path. 53: 362 (1989).

Cordyceps poprawskii (Cabanillas et al.) Kepler, B. Shrestha & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820985

Basionym: Isaria poprawskii Cabanillas et al., Mycoscience 54: 162 (2013).

Cordyceps tenuipes (Peck) Kepler, B. Shrestha & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820986

Basionym: Isaria tenuipes Peck, Ann. Rep. N.Y. St. Mus. Nat. Hist. 31: 44 (1879).

Synonyms: Paecilomyces tenuipes (Peck) Samson, Stud. Mycol. 6: 49 (1974).

Cordyceps takaomontana Yakush. & Kumaz., Sci. Rep. Tokyo Bunrika Daig., B 5: 108 (1941).

Engyodontium de Hoog, Persoonia 10: 53 (1978).

Type: Engyodontium parvisporum (Petch) de Hoog, Persoonia 10: 53 (1978).

Engyodontium was erected by de Hoog (1978) to accommodate the type species, E. parvisporum, and E. album, the latter species was formerly classified in Beauveria, and most recently placed in Parengyodontium (see below). Gams added four more species. The genus is restricted here to species with cobweb-like colonies that produce dense clusters of denticles on elongated rachides. Conidia are hyaline and globose to subglobose. No sexual reproductive morph has been linked to Engyodontium. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on E. aranearum support the distinction from Beauveria, but additional study of the type species is required. Species are isolated from soil and arthropod cadavers, and as opportunistic cutaneous and subcutaneous infections of animals including humans.

Gibellula Cavara, Atti Ist. Bot. R. Univ. Pavia, 2 ser. 3: 347 (1894).

Type: Gibellula pulchra Cavara, Atti Ist. Bot. Univ. Lab. Crittog. Pavia 3: 347 (1894).

The genus Gibellula is recognized here for spider-pathogenic fungi that produce primarily synnematous, aspergillus-like conidiophores with terminal vesicles, which give rise to phialides produced on metulae. Molecular phylogenies place all sampled Gibellula species in a single clade along with torrubiella-like sexual morphs. Torrubiella has been shown to be polyphyletic, including astipitate taxa throughout Cordycipitaceae and Hypocreales. The status of Torrubiella is complicated further by the uncertain phylogenetic placement of the type species, T. aranicida. The original description indicated an asexual morphology that more closely approximates Lecanicillium or Simplicillium. Further, the production of scattered perithecia directly from the host, rather than aggregated on a subiculate pad, do not suggest inclusion of Gibellula in Torrubiella. Rather, the genus Torrubiella is regarded as a synonym of Akanthomyces here based on the perithecial arrangement and lack of a subiculum in the type specimen (discussed under Akanthomyces). The genus Granulomanus, based on G. aranearum which is linked to the sexually typified T. albolanata, was regarded as a synonym of Gibellula by Humber & Rombach (1987), but no molecular data exist to confirm or refute this suggestion.

Gibellula arachnophila (Ditmar) Vuill., Bull. Séanc. Soc. Sci. Nancy, sér. 3 11: 156 (1910).

Basionym: Isaria arachnophila Ditmar, in Sturm, Deutschl. Fl., 3 Abt. (Pilze Deutschl.) 1(4): tab. 55 (1817).

Synonyms: Hymenostilbe arachnophila (Ditmar) Petch, Naturalist (Hull) 56: 249 (1931).

Synsterigmatocystis arachnophila Costantin ex Vuill., Bull. Soc. Mycol. France 27: 81 (1911).

Gibellula arachnophila f. macropus Vuill., Bull. Soc. Mycol. France 36: 41 (1920).

Torrubiella arachnophila f. alba Kobayasi & Shimizu, Kew Bull. 31: 561 (1977).

Cordyceps arachnophila J.R. Johnst., Bull. Puerto Rico Insula Exp. Sta. 10: 23 (1915).

Torrubiella arachnophila (J.R. Johnst.) Mains, Mycologia 42: 316 (1950).

Gibellula aranearum P. Syd., Just's Bot. Jahresber. 57: 321 (1922).

Synonym: Torrubiella gibellulae Petch, Ann. Mycol 30: 391 (1932).

Gibellula clavata Samson & H.C. Evans, Mycologia 84: 306 (1992).

Synonym: Torrubiella clavata Samson & H.C. Evans, Mycologia 84: 306 (1992).

Gibellula dabieshanensis B. Huang et al., Myco-systema 17: 110 (1998).

Synonym: Torrubiella dabieshanensis B. Huang et al., Mycosystema 17: 110 (1998).

Gibellula dimorpha Tzean et al., Mycol. Res. 102: 1350 (1998).

Synonym: Torrubiella dimorpha Tzean et al., Mycol. Res. 102: 1350 (1998).

Gibellula globosa Kobayasi & Shimizu, Bull. Natn. Sci. Mus. Tokyo, B 8: 45 (1982).

Synonym: Torrubiella globosa Kobayasi & Shimizu, Bull. Natn. Sci. Mus. Tokyo, B 8: 45 (1982).

Gibellula globosostipitata Kobayasi & Shimizu, Bull. Natn. Sci. Mus. Tokyo, B 8: 49 (1982).

Basionym: Torrubiella globosostipitata Kobayasi & Shimizu, Bull. Natn. Sci. Mus. Tokyo, B 8: 49 (1982).

Gibellula leiopus (Vuill. ex Maubl.) Mains, Mycologia 42: 313 (1950).

Basionym: Gibellula arachnophila f. leiopus Vuill. ex Maubl., Bull. Soc. Mycol. France 36: 42 (1920).

Torrubiella arachnophila var. leiopus Mains, Mycologia 42: 318 (1950).

Torrubiella leiopus (Mains) Kobayasi & Shimizu, Kew Bull. 31: 564 (1977); as “pleiopus”.

Gibellula pulchra Cavara, Atti Ist. bot. R. Univ. Pavia, 2 sér. 3: 347 (1894).

Synonyms: Torrubiella arachnophila var. pulchra Mains, Mycologia 42: 316 (1950).

Torrubiella pulchra (Mains) Koval, Klavitsipital’nye Griby SSSR: 71 (1984).

Hevansia Luangsa-ard, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, gen. nov.

MycoBank MB820885

Etymology: This genus is named for Harry C Evans and honours his invaluable contributions to our knowledge of insect associated fungi.

Diagnosis: Hevansia is the least inclusive genus-level clade that includes H. novoguineensis and H. nelumboides. Hevansia is diagnosed by the immersed perithecia, an Akanthomyces-like asexual morph, and parasitism on spiders.

Type: Hevansia novoguineensis (Samson & B.L. Brady) Luangsa-ard et al. 2017 (see below)

Description: Sexual morph: Stroma arising from dorsal abdomen, stipe 1–2 mm, fertile part ca 1 mm, white to cream, or in astipitate perithecial cushions surrounding host abdomen or sides of legs. Perithecia immersed, crowded at stipe apex or in cushions, few (<5) to numerous (30+), narrowly ovoid or sickle-shaped. Asci 8-spored, ascospores filiform, hyaline, whole, or disarticulating into part-spores.

Asexual morph: Stroma white, cream-yellow, brown or grey mycelium completely covering host. Synnemata erect, simple or branched, solitary to numerous, cylindrical to clavate, cream to ash-grey or brownish white. In some species 2–4 prominent synnemata up to 6 mm long interspersed with numerous tiny synnemata scattered over host. Phialides in a monolayer, sparsely scattered or crowded, on a basal cell or arising from lateral cells, usually single, occasionally two or three on lateral basal cell, smooth-walled, cylindrical, globose, obovoid, obpyriform or ellipsoid, terminating in short but distinct neck or tapering into a long neck. Conidia catenate, usually one-celled, smooth-walled, hyaline, clavate, cylindrical, cymbiform, fusiform to narrowly obclavate. Colony on PDA white front, reverse cream, orange to pale red, some species with pale wine-red pigment on the agar.

Hosts: On spiders on the underside of leaves of forest plants.

Distribution: Primarily in tropical regions globally, although specimens are known from temperate regions.

Commentary: A biphyletic split is observed among the astipitate species previously considered in Torrubiella with asexual morphs in Gibellula forming a clade of species pathogenic on spiders. Another clade includes species on spiders in the tropics, many of which were previously considered members of Akanthomyces. These species constitute the new genus Hevansia described here. Placement of the spider pathogen C. nelumboides in this genus demonstrates the diverse morphology of Hevansia species, as C. nelumboides produces perithecia in a disc sitting atop a well-formed stipe.

Hevansia arachnophila (Petch) Luangsa-ard, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820886

Basionym: Trichosterigma arachnophilum Petch, Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 8: 215 (1923); as “arachnophila”.

Synonyms: Hirsutella arachnophila (Petch) Petch, Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 9: 93 (1923).

Akanthomyces arachnophilus (Petch) Samson & H.C. Evans, Acta Bot. Neerl. 23: 33 (1974).

Torrubiella flava Petch, Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 9: 127 (1923).

Hevansia cinerea (Hywel-Jones) Luangsa-ard, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820887

Basionym: Akanthomyces cinereus Hywel-Jones, Mycol. Res. 100: 1068 (1996).

Hevansia koratensis (Hywel-Jones) Luangsa-ard, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820888

Basionym: Akanthomyces koratensis Hywel-Jones, Mycol. Res. 100: 1067 (1996).

Hevansia longispora (B. Huang et al.) Luangsa-ard, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820889

Basionym: Akanthomyces longisporus B. Huang et al., Mycosystema 19: 172 (2000).

Hevansia nelumboides (Kobayasi & Shimizu) Luangsa-ard, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820890

Basionym: Cordyceps nelumboides Kobayasi & Shimizu, Kew Bull. 31: 557 (1977).

Hevansia novoguineensis (Samson & B.L. Brady) Luangsa-ard, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820892

Basionym: Akanthomyces novoguineensis Samson & B.L. Brady, Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 79: 571 (1982).

Hevansia ovolongata (L.S. Hsieh et al.) Luangsa-ard, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820893

Basionym: Akanthomyces ovalongatus L.S. Hsieh et al., Mycologia 89: 321 (1997).

Hevansia websteri (Hywel-Jones) Luangsa-ard, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, comb. nov.

MycoBank MB820894

Basionym: Akanthomyces websteri Hywel-Jones, Mycol. Res. 100: 1068 (1996).

Hyperdermium J.F. White et al., Mycologia 92: 910 (2000).

Type: Hyperdermium caulium (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Chaverri & K.T. Hodge, Stud. Mycol. 60: 63 (2008) [syn. H. bertonii (Speg.) J.F. White et al., Mycologia 92: 910 (2000)].

Hyperdermium was erected by Sullivan for Epichloë bertonii and H. pulvinatum, which parasitize scale insects in the tropics. Stromata are flattened or pulvinate and vary in colour from white to orange. Perithecia are immersed to sub-immersed with asci and ascospores characteristic of Cordycipitaceae, but are unique in producing multiseptate conidia. Hyperdermium bertonii, the type species of the genus, was found to have an earlier epithet, so the name was corrected to H. caulium by Chaverri (). In these analyses H. caulium, with C. piperis, is placed in an unresolved position.

Parengyodontium C.C. Tsang et al., Med. Mycol. 54: 708 (2016).

Type: Parengyodontium album (Limber) C.C. Tsang et al., Med. Mycol. 54: 709 (2016).

Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses, Parengyodontium was erected by Tsang to recognize Engyodontium album as a distinct taxon relative to E. parvisporum. To date it is a monotypic genus.

Simplicillium W. Gams & Zare, Nova Hedwigia 73: 38 (2001).

Type: Simplicillium lanosiniveum (J.F.H. Beyma) Zare & W. Gams, Nova Hedwigia 73: 39 (2001).

Simplicillium includes species isolated from other fungi and soil environments (Zare & Gams 2001, Nonaka ). Current phylogenetic analyses resolve Simplicillium as the earliest diverging lineage in Cordycipitaceae (Fig. 1). Simplicillium species are morphologically reduced, producing conidia on the tips of long, slender, solitary phialides. No sexual forms have been associated with Simplicillium.

CONCLUSIONS

In this paper we used a multigene phylogeny (Fig. 1) to guide a taxonomic revision of Cordycipitaceae in compliance with changes to Art. 9 of the ICN to no longer permit the separate naming of fungal morphs (McNeill ). The resulting analysis provides the basis for recognition of 11 genera in Cordycipitaceae regardless of life-stage or the associated morphological differences (Fig. 3). The generic name Cordyceps is retained, and we sought to circumscribe that genus in the most inclusive way possible. The ex-epitype isolate of the type of Isaria, I. farinosa, is nested within Cordyceps, yet we recommend the rejection of Isaria, to avoids further splitting of Cordyceps. Here, Beauveria includes the traditional species known from asexual morphs, but also several taxa previously described for sexual morphs in Cordyceps and a new sexually typified species described here. Our approach allows continuity for the use of names of taxa important for biocontrol and historical concepts of diversity for the group. We propose to use the name Gibellula for a clade of spider pathogens, rather than Torrubiella. This decision is based on morphology of the type species, T. aranicida, which includes superficial perithecia produced in a scattered manner, and not on a subiculum, and an asexual morph described as more similar to Akanthomyces than Gibellula. Akanthomyces has priority over Torrubiella, although we cannot discount a phylogenetic affinity of Torrubiella to T. wallacei or Simplicillium. Therefore, we recommend the rejection of Torrubiella against Akanthomyces. Finally, the use of Lecanicillium is resolved. The type, L. lecanii, is nested within Akanthomyces, which has priority over Lecanicillium. We classify several species of Lecanicillium in Akanthomyces. Lecanicillium psalliotae and L. fusisporum do not show a strong affinity with other species previously placed in Lecanicillium nor with any other clade in Cordycipitaceae, so these species cannot yet be placed in any named genera.

Fig. 3.

Representative taxa for Cordycipitaceae. A. Isaria sp. CEM 1729). B. Torrubiella arachnophila (rmk 12-001). C. Cordyceps bifusispora (CEM 1615). D. Cordyceps confragosa (CEM 1633). E. Isaria tenuipes (CEM 1032). F.Cordyceps militaris (CEM 740). G. Cordyceps rosea (CEM 1734). H. Cordyceps cf. cardinalis (CEM 1733). I. Cordyceps takaomontana with co-occurring I. tenuipes (CEM 1954). J. Cordyceps nelumboides (TNS 16306). Images not to scale.