Metacordyceps dhauladharensis sp. nov., a new entomopathogenic fungus from India

Abstract

This paper describes a new species of Clavicipitaceae fungi belonging to the genus Metacordyceps G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, defined as Metacordyceps dhauladharensis sp. nov., from India. The diagnostic features of this new species are stipitate stromata of brownish color and an elongated fertile head on a Hymenopteran host. The perithecium size of this species was measured as 152?257 ? 65?72 ?m, and the asci were measured as 30?48 ?m in length and 2.5 ?m in breadth. Based on molecular studies, the sequence of 469 bp of this species showed only 86% homology with Metacordyceps indigotica (Kobayasi & Shimizu) Kepler, G.H. Sung & Spatafora. ? T?B?TAK.