Insight into the Systematics of Novel Entomopathogenic Fungi Associated with Armored Scale Insect, <i>Kuwanaspis howardi</i> (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in China

This study led to the discovery of three entomopathogenic fungi associated with <i>Kuwanaspis howardi</i>, a scale insect on <i>Phyllostachys heteroclada</i> (fishscale bamboo) and <i>Pleioblastus amarus</i> (bitter bamboo) in China. Two of these species belong to...

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Main Authors: Xiu-Lan Xu, Qian Zeng, Yi-Cong Lv, Rajesh Jeewon, Sajeewa S. N. Maharachchikumbura, Dhanushka N. Wanasinghe, Kevin D. Hyde, Qian-Gang Xiao, Ying-Gao Liu, Chun-Lin Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/7/8/628
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Summary:This study led to the discovery of three entomopathogenic fungi associated with <i>Kuwanaspis howardi</i>, a scale insect on <i>Phyllostachys heteroclada</i> (fishscale bamboo) and <i>Pleioblastus amarus</i> (bitter bamboo) in China. Two of these species belong to <i>Podonectria</i>: <i>P. kuwanaspidis</i> X.L. Xu & C.L. Yang sp. nov. and <i>P</i>. <i>novae-zelandiae</i> Dingley. The new species <i>P. kuwanaspidis</i> has wider and thicker setae, longer and wider asci, longer ascospores, and more septa as compared with similar <i>Podonectria</i> species. The morphs of extant species <i>P. novae-zelandiae</i> is confirmed based on sexual and asexual morphologies. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of ITS, LSU, SSU, <i>tef1-α</i>, and <i>rpb2</i> sequence data provide further evidence for the validity of the two species and their placement in Podonectriaceae (Pleosporales). The second new species, <i>Microcera kuwanaspidis</i> X.L. Xu & C.L. Yang sp. nov., is established based on DNA sequence data from ITS, LSU, SSU, <i>tef1-α</i>, <i>rpb1</i>, <i>rpb2</i>, <i>acl1</i>, <i>act</i>, <i>cmdA</i>, and <i>his3</i> gene regions, and it is characterized by morphological differences in septum numbers and single conidial mass.
ISSN:2309-608X