Conidiobolus lunulus, a new entomophthoralean species isolated from leafcutter ants

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Entomophthoralean fungi with pathogenic abilities to infect social insects are rare. Here, we describe a fungus isolated from leafcutter ants. Morphologically, the fungus has spherical primary conidia and two types of microconidia: one with the same shape as the primary conidia and another with an elliptical to half-moon shape. The fungus also produces villose conidia known previously only from Conidiobolus coronatus. A multilocus phylogenetic analysis was performed with nuc rDNA sequences from three regions (28S, 18S, and internal transcribed spacer [ITS]). Our isolates are distinguished as a new species, described here as Conidiobolus lunulus, and is more closely related to C. brefeldianus than to C. coronatus, despite the greater morphological resemblance to the latter. Morphological differences, unique phylogenetic placement, and isolation from an altogether new host support this finding. This is the first record of an entomophthoralean species isolated from leafcutter ants.

Original languageEnglish
JournalMycologia
Volume113
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)56-64
Number of pages9
ISSN0027-5514
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

    Research areas

  • Entomopathogen, Entomophthoromycetes, Entomophthoromycota, social insects, villose conidia, 1 new taxon, NUMERICAL TAXONOMY, RIBOSOMAL DNA, REPETITIONAL CONIDIA, SYSTEMATICS, CLASSIFICATION, PHYLOGENY, MOUNTAINS, REVISION, FUNGUS, PHYLUM

ID: 251735579