Ophiocordyceps ramosissimum T.C. Wen, J.C. Kang & K.D. Hyde, 2014

Wen, Ting-Chi, Xiao, Yuan-Pin, Li, Wen-Jing, Kang, Ji-Chuan & Hyde, Kevin D., 2014, Systematic analyses of Ophiocordyceps ramosissimum sp. nov., a new species from a larvae of Hepialidae in China, Phytotaxa 161 (3), pp. 227-234 : 231-232

Ophiocordyceps ramosissimum T.C. Wen, J.C. Kang & K.D. Hyde , sp. nov. ( Fig. 2 ) MycoBank MB 807656.

Differs from related Ophiocordyceps species mainly by its branch-like stromata, without a sterile apex, very wide asci and ascospores and by its occurrence on Phassus nodus in living roots or trunks of Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum .

Type: — CHINA. Hunan Province: Dongkou County, Xuefeng Mountains , on Phassus nodus in root of living Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum , 8 October 2011, Ru-Cai Zhu HN4 ( MFLU12-2165 , holotype!) .

Stromata 70–150 mm long, 2–4 mm wide, cylindrical, 1–2 arising mainly from the head of host; living on larvae of Phassus nodus ( Hepialidae ) in the trunk or upper roots near the soil of Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum (Verbenaceae) . Stipe light grey and smooth. Fertile part 40–70 mm long × 1–3 mm diam., cylindrical, yellow-brown, branching repeatedly with 12–25 branches, apices of branches covered with sparse, superficial ascomata. Cells of stromata thin-walled, globose, brown. Host 60–100 mm long, 6–10 mm wide, black-brown, with white endosclerotia. Ascomata 340–350 × 225–255 µm (x = 346 × 243, n = 10), superficial, ovoid, with a basal stipe connected to the stromata. Peridium 37–88 µm wide (x = 57, n = 10), comprising two layers; hamathecium of paraphyses. Paraphyses branched, septate, 1.9–3 µm wide (x = 2.5, n = 10). Asci 170–265 × 6.9–17.3 µm (x = 234.8 × 11.9, n = 10), 8-spored, cylindrical. Ascospores 130–245× 2–3.5 µm (x = 207.7 × 2.7, n = 10), fasciculate, thread-like, slender and long, with many septa, not breaking into secondary ascospores. Asexual state unknown.

Etymology: —Refers to its appearance similar to tree branches.

Distribution: — Hunan Province, China.

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

Other material studied (paratypes): — CHINA. Hunan Province: Dongkou County, Xuefeng Mountains , on Phassus nodus in trunk of living Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum , 8 October 2011, Ru-Cai Zhu HN8 ( GZUHHN8 !) ; ibid., 20 October 20 12, R u-C ai Z h u 20 12H N2 (GZ U H20 12HN2!) ; ibid., Ru -Cai Zhu 201 2HN10 ( GZUH2012HN10 !) ; ibid., Ru-Cai Zhu 2012HN12 ( GZUH2012HN12 !) .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Ophiocordyceps ramosissimum (holotype) A. Overview of stroma and its host. B, C. Brown, superficial ascomata on stroma. D. Section of ascomata. E. Section of ascoma showing the peridium arrangement. F. Apical peridium. G. Side view of peridium. H. Mature asci with ascospores and branched paraphyses. I. Mature asci with ascospores, in cotton blue. J. Filiform ascospores with many septa, in cotton blue. Scale bars: D = 100 mm, E = 120 µm, F–G = 25 µm, H–I = 20 µm, J = 10 µm.