Three new species of Marquandomyces and Clonostachys from soils in China

Abstract

Fungi from the order Hypocreales are of significant importance in agriculture and forestry. The genus Marquandomyces (Clavicipitaceae, Hypocreales) comprises ten species, while Clonostachys (Bionectriaceae, Hypocreales) is currently estimated to comprise approximately 100 known species, many of which have been isolated from soil. Despite this, the diversity of these fungi in soils of China remains largely unexplored. In this study, we utilized morphological characterization and multilocus phylogenetic analysis to describe novel species isolated from soils in China. Phylogenetic analyses based on the ITS, LSU, SSU, TEF, and RPB2 loci identified two new species of Marquandomyces: M. elunchunensis and M. genheensis. Additionally, analysis of ITS, LSU, TEF, TUB2, and RPB2 loci revealed a new species of Clonostachys (C. hangzhouensis). However, these new strains had no insecticidal activities against Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, and striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta striolata. This study expands the known diversity of Marquandomyces and Clonostachys, while also providing novel fungal materials worthy of further evaluation for application potential.