Interesting mycoparasites and Paradingleyomyces lepidopterorum gen. et sp. nov. (Hypocreales, Polycephalomycetaceae) from Yunnan Province, China

A novel genus, <i>Paradingleyomyces</i> was introduced to accommodate <i>Pa.lepidopterorum</i> <b>sp. nov.</b>, based on a multigene phylogenetic analysis and its distinct morphological characteristics. Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference analyses (BI) of ITS, SSU, LSU, <i>tef-1α</i>, <i>rpb1</i>, and <i>rpb2</i> sequence data shown that <i>Pa.lepidopterorum</i> formed an independent lineage nested between <i>Perennicordyceps</i> and <i>Dingleyomyces</i>. Morphologically, <i>Paradingleyomyces</i> is distinguished from <i>Perennicordyceps</i> by the presence of a white subiculum on the stromata of Ophiocordycepscf.cochlidiicola. Perithecia are produced sporadically from the base to the apex of the stromata, and the secondary ascospores exhibit a notable length-to-width ratio. These characteristics distinguish <i>Paradingleyomyces</i> from <i>Perennicordyceps</i> which exhibits tortuous, branched, clavate to cylindrical stromata with rhizomorphs, parasitism of coleopteran and hemipteran larvae, and colonizes a broader range of fungal hosts. Additionally, perithecia in <i>Perennicordyceps</i> typically arise from the middle to the upper regions of the stromata, with secondary ascospores displaying a comparatively lower length-to-width ratio. <i>Paradingleyomyces</i> is morphologically identical to <i>Dingleyomyces</i> in its direct production of superficial perithecia on the stromata of <i>Ophiocordyceps</i> species. However, the phylogenetic analysis indicates that <i>Paradingleyomyces</i> and <i>Dingleyomyces</i> are not congeneric. Moreover, this study introduces another novel species, <i>Polycephalomycestengchongensis</i>, and a novel sexual morph of <i>Pleurocordycepsyunnanensis</i>. Dimorphic phialides and conidia of <i>Pleurocordycepsparvicapitata</i> were observed and described for the first time based on a fresh collection from Tengchong County, Yunnan Province, China.