Keithomyces neogunni
Keithomyces neogunnii (T.C. Wen & K.D. Hyde)) Luangsa-ard, Thanakitp. & Samson, in Mongkolsamrit et al, Stud. Mycol. 95: 191 (2020)
Basionym: Metacordyceps neogunnii T.C. Wen & K.D. Hyde, Phytotaxa 302: 33. 2017.
Index Fungorum no IF551950; Facesoffungi number FoF 01915.
Sexual morph: Stromata arising from head of host (larvae of Lepidoptera), solitary or in groups of 2–3, rarely branched, 40–80 mm long, 2–6 mm wide, pallid, fleshy. Stipe cylindrical 2–4 mm wide, white to grey, fleshy, glabrous, enlarging abruptly at fertile portion. Fertile portion round head-shape, 10–12 mm long, 3–6 mm wide, white to grey (fresh specimen). Ascomata crowded, completely immersed, ampuliform, ovoid to oblong, 630–830 × 240–340 μm (x = 732 × 278, n = 10), curved, with the ostioles opening on the surface of the fertile head. Peridium 24–38 μm (x = 29, n = 15) wide, comprising three layers. Asci 250–480 × 3–5 μm (x = 347 × 3.8, n = 10), 8-spored, hyaline, narrowly cylindrical, possessing a prominent apical cap. Apical cap 5–8 × 3–6 μm (x = 7.2 × 4.7, n = 15). Ascospores 330–460 × 2–3 μm (x = 397 × 2.6, n = 15), hyaline, filiform, multi-septate, disarticulating into secondary ascospores. Secondary ascospores 2.5–4 × 1.5–2 μm (x = 3 × 1.9, n = 15), cylindrical, hyaline. Asexual state: Paecilomyces-like. Conidiophores short, hyaline, smooth, up to 60 μm long, mostly arising from aerial hyphae. Conidiogenous cells swollen globose at basal portion, tapering into thin and long cylindrical neck, smooth, hyaline, 12–21.5 × 2–3 μm, sometimes proliferating. Conidia ellipsoidal, ovoid or fusiform, 1-celled, spinulose conidia, 3.5–5 × 2–3 μm, in long divergent, dry chains. (Wen et al. 2017)
Culture characteristics: Colonies on Czapek agar, attaining a diameter of 25–30 mm within 14 d at 25 °C, dense, white at first, becoming pale to grey; brownish or dark brown at center, reddish brown at margin, slightly penetrating medium, reverse similar in colour (Wen et al. 2017).
Known hosts and distributions: On larvae of Lepidoptera living in soil (Anhui, Guangdong, Guizhou, Henan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan and Yunnan Province, China) (Wen et al. 2017).
Important value: Traditional Chinese medicine (Wen et al. 2017)
Sequence data: GZUH SB13050302 (SSU = KU729722, ITS = KU729716, TEF = KU729727, RPB1 = KU729732) (Wen et al. 2017).
Metacordyceps neogunnii (Material examined – CHINA. Guizhou Province: Shibin County, Yuntai Mountain, on larvae of Lepidoptera in the soil, 23 April 2013, Li-Ping Chen SB13050302 (GZUH SB13050302, Holotype)). a. Overview of stroma and host (dry specimen). b. Stroma. c. Dorsal view of the host. d. Ventral view of the host. e, f. Sections of ascomata. g. Section of a peridium. h. Ascus with apical cap. i. Immature ascus. j. Mature asci. k. Ascospore. l. Secondary ascospores. m. Czapek agar culture viewed from above. n. Czapek agar culture viewed from below. o, p. Conidiogenous cells, conidiophores and developing conidia, stained with cotton blue. Scale bars: f = 400 μm, e, i = 100 μm, k, o = 50 μm, j, h, l = 10 μm, g, p = 20 μm. (Adopted from Wen et al. 2017)
Metacordyceps neogunnii (Material examined – CHINA. Anhui Province: Huangshan Mountain, on lepidopteran larva, 12 June 2014, Ting-Chi Wen HS14061253 (GZUHHS14061253)). a. Overview of the stroma and the host. b. Cross section of the stroma. c, d. Sections of ascomata. e. Section of an ascoma. f. Part of a peridium. g. An ascus. h, i. Asci stained with methylene blue. j. Ascospore stained with methylene blue. k. Ascus with an apical cap. l. Secondary ascospores. Scale bars: c, d = 400 μm, e = 100 μm, f = 50 μm, g–j = 80 μm, k–m = 10 μm (Adopted from Wen et al. 2017).
Recent Genus
SamsoniellaGibellula
Akanthomyces
Recent Species
Ophiocordyceps sporangiferaOphiocordyceps nutans
Ophiocordyceps globiceps