Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis sp. nov. from larvae of Phassus nodus (Hepialidae) in Hunan Province, southern China Author Wen, Ting-Chi The Engineering and Research Center for Southwest Bio-Pharmaceutical Resources of National Education Ministry of China, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, P. R. China Author Zhu, Ru-Cai Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, P. R. China Author Kang, Ji-Chuan The Engineering and Research Center for Southwest Bio-Pharmaceutical Resources of National Education Ministry of China, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, P. R. China Author Huang, Ming-He Science and Technology Alumni Association in Dongkou County, Hunan Province, P. R. China Author Tan, Dian-Bo Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, P. R. China Author Ariyawansha, Hiran Institute of Excellence in Fungal Research, and School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand Author Hyde, Kevin D. Institute of Excellence in Fungal Research, and School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand Author Liu, Hao Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, P. R. China text Phytotaxa 2013 123 1 41 50 https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/c577feef-d79f-3e90-90af-03665e657223/ journal article 5586 10.11646/phytotaxa.123.1.2 66d3b4ab-b195-4f6f-b483-1f85c960417a 1179-3163 5085008 Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis T.C. Wen, R.C. Zhu, J.C. Kang & K.D. Hyde , sp. nov. ( Fig. 2 ) MycoBank MB803424 Type: — CHINA . Hunan Province : Dongkou County, Xuefeng Mountains, on Phassus nodus in root of living Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum , 20 October 2012 , Ru-Cai Zhu 2012 HN 14 ( GZUH 2012 HN 14, holotype !). Differs from related Ophiocordyceps species mainly by its long stromata, without a sterile apex, narrow asci, long ascospores and by its occurrence on Phassus nodus in living root or trunk of Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum . FIGURE 2. Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis . A. Overview of stroma and the host. B. Brown, superficial ascomata on stroma. C. Section of ascomata. D. Apical peridium. E. Basal peridium formed from stroma. F. Mature ascus with ascospores. G. Ascus cap. H, I. Hyaline and filliform ascospores with many septa. Scale bars: A = 20 mm, B = 0.5 mm, C = 100 µm, D, E = 50 µm, F, H = 40 µm, G = 10 µm, I = 20 µm. Stromata 140–460 mm long, 2–7 mm wide, cylindrical, yellow-brown, 1–4 arising mainly from the head or other part of host; living on larvae of Phassus nodus ( Hepialidae ) in the trunk or upper root near the soil of Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum ( Verbenaceae ) . Stipe 40–260 mm long, 2–7 mm diam., and sometimes covered with beige, thick, dense, loosely woven mycelium. Fertile part 100–200 mm long × 2–4 mm diam., cylindrical, yellow-brown. Cells of stromata thin-walled, globose, hyaline, becoming brown-walled towards the outside. Host 60–110 mm long, 7–12 mm wide, yellow-brown to black-brown, with white endosclerotia. Ascomata 416–625 × 161–318 µm ( x = 520 × 243, n = 20), superficial, long ovoid, with a basal stipe connected to the stromata. Peridium 20–74 µm wide ( x = 39, n = 20), comprising three layers; hamathecium of paraphyses. Asci 191–392 × 4.5–8.9 µm ( x = 277 × 7.5, n = 20), 8-spored, cylindrical, pedicellate not clear, with a 4.2–6.1 µm wide × 3.8–5.8 µm high ( x = 5.1 × 4.7, n = 20) hemiglobose cap. Ascospores 130– 380 × 1.4–5.2 µm ( x = 256 × 3.2, n = 20), fasciculate, thread-like, slender and long, with many septa, not breaking into secondary ascospores. Asexual state: — Hirsutella . Etymology: —Refers to the type collecting site “Xuefeng Mountains”. Distribution: —Dongkou County, Hunan Province , China . Host: —On larvae of Phassus nodus Chu & Wang living in the root or trunk of Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz. Other material studied ( paratypes ): — CHINA . Hunan Province : Dongkou County, Xuefeng Mountains, on Phassus nodus in root of living Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum , 8 October 2011 , Ru-Cai Zhu HN13 (GZUHHN13!); ex-paratype living culture GZUCCHN131!; Hunan Province : Dongkou County, Xuefeng Mountains, on Phassus nodus in root of living Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum , 20 October 2012 , Ru-Cai Zhu 2012HN11 (GZUH2012HN11!); Hunan Province : Dongkou County, Xuefeng Mountains, on Phassus nodus in trunk of living Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum , 20 October 2012 , Ru-Cai Zhu 2012HN13 (GZUH2012HN13!); Hunan Province : Dongkou County, Xuefeng Mountains, on Phassus nodus in root of living Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum , 20 October 2012 , Ru-Cai Zhu 2012HN19 (GZUH2012HN19!).