Species diversity and major host/substrate associations of the genus Akanthomyces (Hypocreales, Cordycipitaceae)

Abstract

<i>Akanthomyces</i>, a group of fungi with rich morphological and ecological diversity in Cordycipitaceae (Ascomycota, Hypocreales), has a wide distribution amongst diverse habitats. By surveying arthropod-pathogenic fungi in China and Southeast Asia over the last six years, nine <i>Akanthomyces</i> spp. were found and identified. Five of these were shown to represent four known species and an undetermined species of <i>Akanthomyces</i>. Four of these were new species and they were named <i>A.kunmingensis</i> and <i>A.subaraneicola</i> from China, <i>A.laosensis</i> from Laos and <i>A.pseudonoctuidarum</i> from Thailand. The new species were described and illustrated according to the morphological characteristics and molecular data. <i>Akanthomycesaraneogenus</i>, which was isolated from spiders from different regions in China, Thailand and Vietnam, was described as a newly-recorded species from Thailand and Vietnam. The phylogenetic positions of the nine species were evaluated, based on phylogenetic inferences according to five loci, namely, ITS, nrLSU, <i>TEF</i>, <i>RPB1</i> and <i>RPB2</i>. In this study, we reviewed the research progress achieved for <i>Akanthomyces</i> regarding its taxonomy, species diversity, geographic distribution and major host/substrate associations. The morphological characteristics of 35 species in <i>Akanthomyces</i>, including four novel species and 31 known taxa, were also compared.