Conidiobolus lunulus , a new entomophthoralean species isolated from leafcutter ants

LOPEZ LASTRA, C. C.; GOFFRE, D.; HUMBER, R. A.; GOFFRE, D.; HUMBER, R. A.; JENSEN, A. B.; FOLGARAIT, P. J.; JENSEN, A. B.; FOLGARAIT, P. J.; LOPEZ LASTRA, C. C.

MYCOLOGIA.

ALLEN PRESS INC

Año: 2020 p. 1 - 9

0027-5514

Entomophthoralean fungi with pathogenic abilities to infect social insects are rare. Here, we describea fungus isolated from leafcutter ants. Morphologically, the fungus has spherical primary conidia andtwo types of microconidia: one with the same shape as the primary conidia and another with anelliptical to half-moon shape. The fungus also produces villose conidia known previously only fromConidiobolus coronatus. A multilocus phylogenetic analysis was performed with nuc rDNA sequencesfrom three regions (28S, 18S, and internal transcribed spacer [ITS]). Our isolates are distinguished asa new species, described here as Conidiobolus lunulus, and is more closely related to C. brefeldianusthan to C. coronatus, despite the greater morphological resemblance to the latter. Morphologicaldifferences, unique phylogenetic placement, and isolation from an altogether new host support thisfinding. This is the first record of an entomophthoralean species isolated from leafcutter ants.