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  • Masters of the manipulator: two new hypocrealean genera, Niveomyces ( Cordycipitaceae ) and Torrubiellomyces ( Ophiocordycipitaceae ), parasitic on the zombie ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani
Title: Masters of the manipulator: two new hypocrealean genera, Niveomyces ( Cordycipitaceae ) and Torrubiellomyces ( Ophiocordycipitaceae ), parasitic on the zombie ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani
During surveys in central Florida of the zombie-ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani , which manipulates the behavior of the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus , two distinct fungal morphotypes were discovered associated with and purportedly parasitic on O. camponoti-floridani . Based on a combination of unique morphology, ecology and phylogenetic placement, we discovered that these morphotypes comprise two novel lineages of fungi. Here, we propose two new genera, Niveomyces and Torrubiellomyces , each including a single species within the families Cordycipitaceae and Ophiocordycipitaceae , respectively. We generated de novo draft genomes for both new species and performed morphological and multi-loci phylogenetic analyses. The macro-morphology and incidence of both new species, Niveomyces coronatus and Torrubiellomyces zombiae , suggest that these fungi are mycoparasites since their growth is observed exclusively on O. camponoti-floridani mycelium, stalks and ascomata, causing evident degradation of their fungal hosts. This work provides a starting point for more studies into fungal interactions between mycopathogens and entomopathogens, which have the potential to contribute towards efforts to battle the global rise of plant and animal mycoses.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1941546
PAR ID:
10422875
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Persoonia - Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi
Volume:
49
Issue:
1
ISSN:
0031-5850
Page Range / eLocation ID:
171 to 194
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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