identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
D58E47E5858A59DA974DF9C2C7AEE849.text	D58E47E5858A59DA974DF9C2C7AEE849.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Arachnidicola anhuiensis X. Y. Chang & M. J. Chen 2026	<div><p>Arachnidicola anhuiensis X. Y. Chang &amp; M. J. Chen sp. nov.</p><p>Fig. 4</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>Name refers to “ Anhui Province ” where the holotype was collected.</p><p>Typification.</p><p>China • Anhui Province, Huangshan City, Qimen County, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=117.566666&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=30.066668" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 117.566666/lat 30.066668)">Guniujiang Scenic Area</a> (30°04'N, 117°34'E), on dead spiders ( Araneae), July 2024; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, holotype GNJ 20240708-06, ex-type RCEF 7681 .</p><p>Description.</p><p>On the host spider, a dense mycelium ranging from white to purpleish-white completely covers the body. Hyphae septate, hyaline, smooth-walled, 1.0–2.5 μm wide. Conidiophores mononematous, hyaline, smooth-walled, with single phialide or whorls of 2–6 phialides, or penicillium-like from hyphae directly. Phialides slightly swollen at the base, cylindrical, 10.2–28.8 × 1.0–2.3 μm (x ̄ = 16.7 ± 5.0 × 1.6 ± 0.4 μm), gradually tapering into a narrow neck. Conidia hyaline, smooth-walled, predominantly elliptical, ovoid or fusiform, 3.0–6.2 × 2.0–5.6 μm (x ̄ = 4.0 ± 0.8 × 2.7 ± 0.6 μm), forming divergent and basipetal chains. The shape and size of phialides and conidia in culture conditions were similar to those on spiders.</p><p>Culture characteristics.</p><p>On PDA, colonies are white to pale yellow on the front side and pale yellow to yellowish brown on the reverse, with lighter-colored margins. Mycelium is dense and cottony, with slow growth, reaching 40–44 mm in diameter after 14 days at 25 ° C. On MEA, colonies are similar to those on PDA but exhibit slower growth and deeper yellow coloration on the reverse. On OA, colonies form only a thin, white mycelial layer with weak growth.</p><p>Host.</p><p>spider ( Araneae).</p><p>Note.</p><p>Khonsanit et al. (2024) re-evaluated the phylogenetic framework of the genus Akanthomyces and resolved it into four well-supported monophyletic lineages: Akanthomyces, Arachnidicola, Lecanicillium and Kanoksria, each exhibiting distinct host preferences and asexual morphologies. Arachnidicola is exclusively associated with spiders with most species producing Isaria - like synnemata. In this study, an Isaria - like spider-pathogenic fungus was collected from Anhui Province, China, and identified as a new species, A. anhuiensis, based on combined five-locus phylogeny and morphology. Phylogenetic analyses have confirmed that A. anhuiensis forms a distinct and well-supported clade (MLBS = 99, BPP = 1.0), indicating a close evolutionary relationship with A. araneicola and A. subaraneicola . In addition, the single-locus phylogenies based on rDNA (ITS + nrLSU), TEF 1, RPB 1 and RPB 2 showed genealogical concordance, each supporting the monophyly of A. anhuiensis (Suppl. material 3: fig. S 2), consistent with the criteria of genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR). A BLASTN search against the GenBank database revealed significant sequence differences between A. anhuiensis and the type strains of these two species. Specifically, A. anhuiensis showed 96.66 % identity for ITS, 98.30 % for TEF 1, 97.80 % for RPB 1 and 98.67 % for RPB 2 compared to A. araneicola GY 29011. In comparison to A. subaraneicola YFCC 2107937, A. anhuiensis exhibited 97.27 % identity for ITS, 98.83 % for nrLSU, 97.70 % for TEF 1, 97.38 % for RPB 1 and 98.67 % for RPB 2. Morphologically, A. anhuiensis also resembles both species, especially in its white to pale yellow mycelium.</p><p>Nonetheless, significant differences were observed in conidial morphology and size: A. anhuiensis produces larger ellipsoidal to ovoid conidia (3.0–6.2 × 2.0–5.6 μm), compared to the smaller fusiform conidia of A. araneicola (2.5–5.0 × 1.3–1.9 μm) (Chen et al. 2019) and the slightly narrower ellipsoidal to elongate-ellipsoidal conidia of A. subaraneicola (3.0–5.4 × 1.8–3.4 μm) (Wang et al. 2024 c). This represents the first newly described species of Arachnidicola since the genus was established, highlighting the taxonomic value of host specificity and subtle morphological characters in spider-associated fungi.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/D58E47E5858A59DA974DF9C2C7AEE849	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
1EF06499F7445EA48DDB973F788E6B29.text	1EF06499F7445EA48DDB973F788E6B29.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Corniculantispora margaretspencerae (Y. P. Tan, Bishop-Hurley, R. G. Shivas & Marney) X. Y. Chang & M. J. Chen	<div><p>Corniculantispora margaretspencerae (Y. P. Tan, Bishop-Hurley, R. G. Shivas &amp; Marney), X. Y. Chang &amp; M. J. Chen comb. nov.</p><p>Fig. 6</p><p>Basionym.</p><p>Lecanicillium margaretspencerae Y. P. Tan, Bishop-Hurley, R. G. Shivas &amp; Marney, Index Austral. Fungi 15: 1 (2023).</p><p>Typification.</p><p>China • Guizhou Province, Tongren City, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=27.833334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.78333/lat 27.833334)">Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve</a> (27°50'N, 108°47'E), on dead spiders ( Araneae), July 2024; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, holotype FJS 20240724-86, ex-type RCEF 7796 .</p><p>Description.</p><p>On the host spider, the body is completely overlaid by a dense, tufted mycelium, ranging from pale yellow to yellowish cream. Hyphae hyaline, smooth-walled, branched, 0.7–1.5 μm wide. Phialides cylindrical, slightly tapering toward the apex, arising from hyphae or differentiated conidiophores, solitary or in whorls of 2–3, measuring (7.8 –) 12–40 (– 46) × 0.6–1.5 μm. Conidia are usually produced singly at the tips of phialides and occur in two forms: macroconidia fusiform, typically with sharp ends, straight or slightly curved, measuring 6.6–12.2 × 0.9–1.7 μm; microconidia ellipsoidal, straight or slightly curved, measuring 3.1–5.3 × 1–2 μm.</p><p>Culture characteristics.</p><p>On PDA, colonies are white on the surface, with the reverse pale beige at the center and lighter toward the margins. Mycelium is dense, and the colony reaches approximately 64 mm in diameter after 14 days at 25 ° C. On 1 / 4 SDAY, colony growth is slower; the surface is white, and the reverse is beige, with distinct radial cracks.</p><p>Host.</p><p>spider ( Araneae), insect.</p><p>Additional material examined.</p><p>China • Guizhou Province, Tongren City, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=27.833334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.78333/lat 27.833334)">Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve</a> (27°50'N, 108°47'E), on a dead spider, July 2024; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, RCEF 7877 (living culture) . Australia, Queensland, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=27.833334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.78333/lat 27.833334)">Tully</a>, on an unidentified dead insect, April 2021; T. S. Marney 、 M. D. E. Shivas and R. G. Shivas, BRIP 72656 a .</p><p>Note.</p><p>In our multigene phylogenetic tree, strains RCEF 7796 and RCEF 7877 grouped with Lecanicillium margaretspencerae BRIP 72656 a, with strong support (MLBS = 84, BPP = 1.0) (Fig. 1). However, L. margaretspencerae was placed with maximal support (MLBS = 100, BPP = 1.0) within the Corniculantispora clade, rather than the core Lecanicillium group, indicating a distant phylogenetic relationship from the latter. To accurately reflect its phylogenetic position, we propose the new combination Corniculantispora margaretspencerae . Originally described from Australia, this species is reported here for the first time from China, representing a new record for the country. While initially introduced by Tan and Shivas (2023 c) from a single strain in Australia based on ITS, nrLSU, TEF 1 and RPB 2 sequences, it lacked detailed morphological description.</p><p>Our discovery of this species in Guizhou Province, China, confirmed its identity as conspecific with BRIP 72656 a, despite minor sequence differences, which are considered intraspecific variation. This study provides the first comprehensive morphological description of the species and establishes strain RCEF 7796 as the epitype, thereby stabilizing its taxonomic concept.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/1EF06499F7445EA48DDB973F788E6B29	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
59D594FEC41559A2B9F9797830B61D6C.text	59D594FEC41559A2B9F9797830B61D6C.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Corniculantispora saksenae (Y. P. Tan, Bishop-Hurley & Marney) X. Y. Chang & M. J. Chen	<div><p>Corniculantispora saksenae (Y. P. Tan, Bishop-Hurley &amp; Marney), X. Y. Chang &amp; M. J. Chen comb. nov.</p><p>Basionym.</p><p>Lecanicillium saksenae (Kushwaha) Kurihara &amp; Sukarno, Mycoscience 50 (5): 377 (2009).</p><p>Synonyms.</p><p>Verticillium saksenae Kushwaha, Curr. Sci. 49: 948 (1980).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/59D594FEC41559A2B9F9797830B61D6C	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
1C1E3E837FE25CC09FE2C64637956DFD.text	1C1E3E837FE25CC09FE2C64637956DFD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Gamszarella araneae X. Y. Chang & M. J. Chen 2026	<div><p>Gamszarella araneae X. Y. Chang &amp; M. J. Chen sp. nov.</p><p>Fig. 5</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>referring to the ability to colonize spider.</p><p>Typification.</p><p>China • Guizhou Province, Tongren City, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=27.833334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.78333/lat 27.833334)">Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve</a> (27°50'N, 108°47'E), on dead spiders ( Araneae), July 2024; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, holotype FJS 20240724-93, ex-type RCEF 7803 .</p><p>Description.</p><p>On the host spider, the body is completely covered by a dense, pale yellow mycelium. Hyphae hyaline, smooth-walled, septate, and branched, 0.9–1.7 μm wide. Conidiophores erect, usually arising from aerial hyphae, solitary or resembling the Lecanicillium type. Conidiogenous cells solitary or arranged in whorls of 2–3, cylindrical at the base with multiple small denticles, gradually narrowing into a distinct neck, 11.7–31.7 (– 40.5) × 0.9–1.5 μm (x ̄ = 22.8 ± 6.4 × 1.1 ± 0.2 μm). Conidia hyaline, elliptical to fusiform, single-celled, (2.7 –) 3.5–5.3 (– 7.0) × 1.8–3.5 μm (x ̄ = 4.2 ± 0.7 × 2.7 ± 0.4 μm). The shape and size of phialides and conidia in culture conditions were similar to those on spiders.</p><p>Culture characteristics.</p><p>On PDA, colonies are circular with smooth margins and velvety mycelium, exhibiting a distinct concentric growth pattern. The surface is white, while the reverse is pale yellow to light yellowish brown, with lighter margins gradually fading into a translucent halo. Colony diameter reaches approximately 34 mm after 14 days at 25 ° C. On MEA, colonies are white on the surface, pale yellow on the reverse, and display prominent radial cracks. On OA, colonies are white to greyish white with thin and sparse mycelium, and exhibit weak growth.</p><p>Host.</p><p>spider ( Araneae).</p><p>Additional material examined.</p><p>China • Guizhou Province, Tongren City, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=27.833334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.78333/lat 27.833334)">Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve</a> (27°50'N, 108°47'E), on dead spiders, July 2024; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, RCEF 7802 and RCEF 7804 (living culture) .</p><p>Note.</p><p>Multilocus phylogenetic analyses confirmed that Gamszarella araneae forms a strongly supported independent clade (MLBS = 91, BPP = 1.0). Single-locus phylogenetic trees based on rDNA (ITS + nrLSU), RPB 1 and RPB 2 consistently resolved G. araneae as a distinct lineage from its closest relatives, in accordance with the GCPSR criterion (Suppl. material 3: fig. S 3).</p><p>Morphologically, G. araneae shares several characters with related species of the genus, and some measurements overlap with those reported for closely related taxa (Table 2). Nevertheless, it can be differentiated from G. araneicola by its narrower conidiogenous cells [11.7–31.7 (– 40.5) × 0.9–1.5 μm vs 27.7–36.9 × 1.5–1.9 μm]. It differs from G. formicae by having larger conidia [elliptical to fusiform, (2.7 –) 3.5–5.3 (– 7.0) × 1.8–3.5 μm vs fusiform to ellipsoidal, 2.2–3.8 × 1.7–2.5 μm] and by its spider host. It can be distinguished from G. pupicola by its longer conidiogenous cells (11.7–31.7 (– 40.5) × 0.9–1.5 μm vs 10.0–23.4 × 0.7–1.0 μm) and host association, as G. pupicola parasitizes lepidopteran pupae.</p><p>Although G. araneae, G. sinensis and G. vallensis all parasitize spiders, G. araneae is characterized by markedly longer conidiogenous cells (11.7–31.7 (– 40.5) × 0.9–1.5 μm), compared with those of G. sinensis (7.0–12.0 × 1.0–1.5 μm) and G. vallensis (3.8–5.4 × 1.3–1.9 μm).</p><p>Taken together, although some morphological measurements overlap among species, the combination of morphological features, host association, and robust multilocus phylogenetic support justifies the recognition of G. araneae as a distinct species.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/1C1E3E837FE25CC09FE2C64637956DFD	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
6A44067A70E35455B209F4B132163AEA.text	6A44067A70E35455B209F4B132163AEA.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Gamszarella sotirae (Y. P. Tan, Bishop-Hurley & Marney) X. Y. Chang & M. J. Chen	<div><p>Gamszarella sotirae (Y. P. Tan, Bishop-Hurley &amp; Marney), X. Y. Chang &amp; M. J. Chen comb. nov.</p><p>Basionym.</p><p>Lecanicillium sotirae Y. P. Tan, Bishop-Hurley &amp; Marney, Index Austral. Fungi 35: 7 (2024).</p><p>Host.</p><p>spider ( Araneae).</p><p>Distribution. Australia.</p><p>Note.</p><p>This species was initially described as a new taxon by Tan and Shivas (2024 b) due to distinctive differences in the ITS, nrLSU, RPB 2 and TEF 1 sequences. In both the multigene and single-locus phylogenetic analyses, this taxon formed a distinct and well-supported clade within Gamszarella (MLBS = 99, BPP = 1.00) (Fig. 2, Suppl. material 3). Consequently, we propose its reclassification into the genus Gamszarella .</p><p>The genus Gamszarella was established in 2023 based on molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological traits, with G. buffelskloofina designated as the type species (Crous et al. 2023), and its circumscription has since been refined through molecular and morphological studies, leading to the transfer or segregation of several taxa into related genera such as Corpulentispora and Neogamszarella (Khonsanit et al. 2024; Chen et al. 2025 b). With the inclusion of our current findings, Gamszarella currently comprises nine species. The fact that five species are araneopathogenic while the rest utilize insect hosts (Crous et al. 2023; Chen et al. 2025 b, 2025 c) highlights an intriguing evolutionary transition between host groups. Further studies are required to clarify host specificity and ecological associations within the genus Gamszarella .</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6A44067A70E35455B209F4B132163AEA	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
B47FD89055D650478D9D0B977A05340F.text	B47FD89055D650478D9D0B977A05340F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Gibellula alba X. Y. Chang & M. J. Chen 2026	<div><p>Gibellula alba X. Y. Chang &amp; M. J. Chen sp. nov.</p><p>Fig. 7</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>alba (Latin), white, refers to the white hyphae that wrap around the host.</p><p>Typification.</p><p>China • Anhui Province, Chizhou City, Shitai County, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=117.48333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=30.066668" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 117.48333/lat 30.066668)">Guniujiang Scenic Area</a> (30°04'N, 117°29'E), on a dead spider ( Araneae), July 2021; Ting Wang and Mingjun Chen, holotype GNJ 20210711-02 .</p><p>Description.</p><p>Except for the metatarsi and tarsi, the host spider is entirely covered by a dense mat of mycelium. In the early stage of infection, the mycelium is pure white (Fig. 7 a); during the mid to late stages, the mycelial mat turns flesh pink (Fig. 7 b), and perithecia become aggregated on the dorsal side of the host’s abdomen. Perithecia are ivory to maize yellow, translucent, and ellipsoidal to clavate in shape, measuring 673–802 × 236.5–296.5 μm. Asci are cylindrical, measuring 505–700 μm in length and 4.5–6.5 μm in width. Ascospores are filiform, multiseptate, and arranged either in parallel or in a helical manner, measuring (666 –) 670–727 (– 730) × 2–3 μm. The ascus cap is hemispherical, 5–6 × 3.5–4 μm. Ascospores fragment into secondary ascospores, which are short-cylindrical and measure 4–6 × 1.5–2 μm. Conidiophores bear verrucose (warty) surfaces, and no clearly defined conidiogenous structures were observed at the apex. The asexual morph is recognized as Hirsutella - like.</p><p>Host.</p><p>spider ( Araneae).</p><p>Additional material examined.</p><p>China • Anhui Province, Chizhou City, Shitai County, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=117.48333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=30.066668" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 117.48333/lat 30.066668)">Guniujiang Scenic Area</a> (30°04'N, 117°29'E), on dead spiders, July 2021; Ting Wang and Mingjun Chen, GNJ 20210711-03 .</p><p>Note.</p><p>G. alba, collected in Anhui, China, is described here as a new species of the cosmopolitan spider-pathogenic genus Gibellula . Consistent genealogical separation of G. alba from its closest relatives was recovered based on the rDNA (ITS + nrLSU) and TEF 1 loci (Suppl. material 3: fig. S 4). Polygenetic phylogenetic analyses indicate that G. alba forms a distinct and well-supported clade (MLBS = 100, BPP = 1.0), showing close relatedness to G. pigmentosinum (Fig. 2). A BLASTN search of the GenBank database revealed notable sequence differences between G. alba and G. pigmentosinum, with nrLSU and TEF 1 sequence identities at 96.33 % and 96.18 %, respectively, compared to G. pigmentosinum strain BCC 41870. These genetic markers offer a reliable method for distinguishing G. alba from closely related species. Due to specialized growth requirements, most Gibellula species are difficult to culture in vitro, and the absence of diagnostic morphological or molecular characters for some taxa has caused considerable taxonomic confusion (Samson and Evans 1973; Chen et al. 2022 a). In G. alba, only the sexual morph was clearly observed, which is notable given that most congeners are known solely from their asexual morphs, while sexual or granulomanus synasexual forms have been reported only rarely (Evans et al. 2025). As the number of described species continues to grow, the genus exhibits remarkable morphological diversity, yet the mechanisms and ecological triggers governing its reproductive mode remain largely unknown, and the structure and biological role of granulomanus synasexual morphs are still speculative. Fewer than eighteen Gibellula species have been reported from China, but members of this genus are increasingly valued for their potential in the discovery of bioactive secondary metabolites, chemotaxonomic markers, and insights into host-pathogen interactions, highlighting the need for continued sampling and integrated morphological-molecular studies to refine the taxonomy of this ecologically specialized lineage.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/B47FD89055D650478D9D0B977A05340F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
665A392B06E558A29DF15803338C77F7.text	665A392B06E558A29DF15803338C77F7.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Gibellula guizhouensis X. Y. Chang & M. J. Chen 2026	<div><p>Gibellula guizhouensis X. Y. Chang &amp; M. J. Chen sp. nov.</p><p>Fig. 8</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>name refers to “ Guizhou Province ” where the holotype was collected.</p><p>Typification.</p><p>China • Guizhou Province, Tongren City, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=27.833334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.78333/lat 27.833334)">Fanjingshan Nature Reserve</a> (27°50'N, 108°47'E), on a dead spider ( Araneae), July 2025; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, holotype FJS 20250705-58, ex-type RCEF 8165 .</p><p>Description.</p><p>Mycelial mat is creamy yellow and velvety, completely covering the spider host, firmly attaching the host to underside of living leaf by the mycelia covering its legs. Synnema solitary, arising from the posterior region of the host abdomen, cylindrical, consisting of a compact bundle of parallel hyphae, with a blunt tip. Conidiophores rising from mycelial mat and synnema, smooth, septate, cylindrical, predominantly biverticillate, 50–90 (- 104) × 4–5.5 μm, vesicles rarely developed. Several metulae are borne on the apex of conidiophore. Metulae cylindrical, 8.5–11.5 × 4.5–6 μm, with a number of phialides in whorls. Phialides broadly cylindrical, with the apex tapering abruptly to a short neck 10–13 × 2.5–3.5 μm. Conidia fusiform, 5–7 × 1.7–3 μm, in chains, borne on each phialide. Perithecia occurring on the mycelial mat covering the host legs, superficial, mostly arranged in groups, cylindrical, reddish yellow, one-third immersed in the network of mycelia, 900–1300 × 310–350 μm. Asci (242 -) 350–740 (- 813) × (3 -) 5–8.5 (- 10) μm, ascus tip 4–6 × 7–9 μm. Ascospores often breaking into part-spores. Part-spores bacilliform, 21–29 (- 31) × 1.4–2.1 μm. Granulomanus-like asexual morph absent.</p><p>Host.</p><p>spider ( Araneae).</p><p>Additional material examined.</p><p>China • Guizhou Province, Tongren City, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=27.833334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.78333/lat 27.833334)">Fanjingshan Nature Reserve</a> (27°50'N, 108°47'E), on a dead spider, July 2025; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, RCEF 8164, RCEF 8166, RCEF 8168, RCEF 8170 .</p><p>Note.</p><p>G. guizhouensis, discovered in guizhou, China, is formally described here as a novel species within the cosmopolitan spider-pathogenic genus Gibellula . Consistent genealogical separation of G. guizhouensis from its closest relatives was recovered based on the rDNA (ITS + nrLSU), TEF 1, RPB 1 and RPB 2 loci (Suppl. material 3: fig. S 4). Polygenetic phylogenetic analyses indicate that G. guizhouensis forms a distinct and well-supported clade (MLBS = 100, BPP = 1.0), showing close relatedness to G. clavulifera var. alba (Fig. 2). A BLASTN search of the GenBank database revealed notable sequence differences between G. guizhouensis and G. clavulifera var. alba, with ITS, nrLSU, TEF 1, RPB 1 and RPB 2 sequence identities at 96.43 %, 97.76 %, 97.41 %, 96.18 %, and 96.41 %, respectively, compared to G. clavulifera var. alba strain ARSEF 1915. Compared with the typical characteristics, G. guizhouensis was distinguished from G. clavulifera var. alba by its shorter metulae (8.5–11.5 × 4.5–6 μm vs 9–15 × 3–4 μm) and wider phialides (10–13 × 2.5–3.5 μm vs 10–12.4 × 1.5–2.5 μm) (Humber and Rombach 1987). The integration of distinctive morphological traits and robust multi-locus phylogenetic evidence provides support for the establishment of G. guizhouensis as a new species.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/665A392B06E558A29DF15803338C77F7	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
D25DF857C2985F8D97019307B7C556C3.text	D25DF857C2985F8D97019307B7C556C3.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Hevansia pseudonelumboides X. Y. Chang T. Wang & M. J. Chen 2026	<div><p>Hevansia pseudonelumboides X. Y. Chang T. Wang &amp; M. J. Chen sp. nov.</p><p>Fig. 9</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>refers to the morphological similarity of this species to Hevansia nelumboides, with the prefix “ pseudo- ” (false) indicating its close yet distinct taxonomic relationship.</p><p>Typification.</p><p>China • Jiangxi Province, Jiujiang City, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=115.96667&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=29.533333" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 115.96667/lat 29.533333)">Lushan Mountain</a> (29°32'N, 115°58'E), on a dead spider ( Araneae), August 2023; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, holotype LS 20230802-71, ex-type RCEF 7275 .</p><p>Description.</p><p>Sexual morph: The host spider is entirely covered by mycelium, with stromata emerging solitarily and unbranched from the dorsal side of the host. Stipes cylindrical, 2.0– 3.6 mm long and 0.4–0.9 mm thick, initially pale orange, later becoming pale yellow or white. The fertile parts are rosette-shaped, 1.7–2.3 mm in diameter, light orange in early stages and turning light brown in maturity. Perithecia are immersed, subellipsoidal, dark brown, measuring 553–564 × 109.8–175.6 μm. Asci are cylindrical, 133–165 × 5.1–5.8 μm, with a hemispherical apical cap measuring 4.6–5.1 × 2.5–2.9 μm. Ascospores were not clearly observed, but scattered secondary spores were present, capsule-like, measuring 1.6–2.1 × 0.8–1.1 μm. Asexual morph: Synnemata are densely arranged on the surface of the spider body. In fresh specimens, they are grayish white and slender conical. When dried, they become pale yellow and resemble slightly curled bamboo leaves, measuring 3.1–6.7 mm in length and 108–185 μm in width at the middle. Phialides are globose to ellipsoidal, sparsely distributed on the hyphae, measuring 4.5–6.2 × 4.4–5.8 μm, abruptly tapering into a narrow neck at the apex. Conidia are fusiform to cylindrical, forming in chains, and measure 6.5–8.7 × 2.1–2.8 μm.</p><p>Culture characteristics.</p><p>On PDA, colonies are white on the surface and pale yellowish brown to light brownish orange on the reverse, with a purplish center. The mycelium is dense, and growth is slow, reaching a diameter of up to 36 mm after 14 days at 25 ° C.</p><p>Additional material examined.</p><p>China • Anhui Province, Chizhou City, Shitai County, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=117.48333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=30.066668" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 117.48333/lat 30.066668)">Guniujiang Scenic Area</a> (30°04'N, 117°29'E), on dead spiders, July 2021; Ting Wang and Mingjun Chen, GNJ 20210710-05, GNJ 20210710-08 and GNJ 20210711-04 . China • Jiangxi Province, Jiujiang City, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=115.96667&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=29.533333" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 115.96667/lat 29.533333)">Lushan Mountain</a> (29°32'N, 115°58'E), on a dead spider, August 2023; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, RCEF 7270 . China • Guizhou Province, Tongren City, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=27.833334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.78333/lat 27.833334)">Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve</a> (27°50'N, 108°47'E), on a dead spider, July 2024; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, RCEF 7801 .</p><p>Note.</p><p>Phylogenetically, multilocus analyses support H. pseudonelumboides as a distinct and well-supported monophyletic lineage (Fig. 2). Moreover, single-locus phylogenies based on rDNA (ITS + nrLSU), TEF 1, RPB 1 and RPB 2 exhibit genealogical concordance, each recovering H. pseudonelumboides as monophyletic (Suppl. material 3: fig. S 5), consistent with the criteria of GCPSR. Sexually, all four Hevansia species possess stipitate stromata, with two distinct types of fertile structures: H. minuta features oval fertile parts, while the remaining three species have disc-shaped structures. Perithecia are consistently immersed across all species. The asci are cylindrical, but those of H. pseudonelumboides are significantly shorter compared to the other three species, providing a useful distinguishing characteristic (Table 3). Asexually, synnemata are absent in H. minuta, whereas the other species develop numerous synnemata. Phialides are generally subglobose with distinct necks, except H. longispora . Conidia are typically cylindrical or fusiform, with size variations among species (Table 4). Additionally, both H. pseudonelumboides and H. novoguineensis produce a purple pigment that diffuses into PDA medium, whereas H. minuta does not produce any pigment. Importantly, all species in this genus are spider pathogens, indicating that Hevansia comprises a group of obligate, host-specific entomopathogenic fungi specialized on targeting spiders.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/D25DF857C2985F8D97019307B7C556C3	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
01CD11FF6DF7509AB9E3C134BC157DDB.text	01CD11FF6DF7509AB9E3C134BC157DDB.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Husseyia sinensis X. Y. Chang & M. J. Chen 2026	<div><p>Husseyia sinensis X. Y. Chang &amp; M. J. Chen sp. nov.</p><p>Fig. 10</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>Referring to the country where the fungus was first discovered.</p><p>Typification.</p><p>China • Guizhou Province, Tongren City, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.75&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=27.833334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.75/lat 27.833334)">Fanjingshan Nature Reserve</a> (27°50'N, 108°45'E), on a dead spider ( Araneae), July 2025; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, holotype FJS 20250706-97, ex-type RCEF 8284 .</p><p>Description.</p><p>The host spider is completely enveloped by a tufted, pale yellow mycelium. Hyphae septate, hyaline, smooth-walled, 1.0–2.5 μm wide. Conidiophores hyaline, smooth-walled, emerging from aerial hyphae or chondroid mycelium, with single phialide or whorls of 2 phialides or verticillium-like from hyphae directly. Phialides slightly swollen at the base, cylindrical, 15–30 (- 67) × 0.7–1.7 μm, gradually tapering into a narrow neck. Conidia hyaline, smooth-walled, predominantly elliptical, ovoid or fusiform, 3.1–6.1 (- 7.7) × 1.4–2.5 (- 4.0) μm, aggregated in slimy heads at the apex of phialides.</p><p>Culture characteristics.</p><p>On PDA, colonies are white to pale yellow on the surface and pale yellow on the reverse, with lighter-colored margins. Mycelium is dense and cottony, with slow growth, reaching 13–16 mm in diameter after 14 days at 25 ° C.</p><p>Host.</p><p>spider ( Araneae).</p><p>Additional material examined.</p><p>China • Anhui Province, Luan City, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=116.55&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=31.05" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 116.55/lat 31.05)">Wanfoshan Nature Reserve</a> (31°03'N, 116°33'E), on a dead spider, June 2025; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, RCEF 8222 .</p><p>Note.</p><p>The genus Husseyia was recently established by Tan and Shivas (2023 c) and currently comprises only two species, H. annamariae and H. queenslandica, both of which were described solely based on molecular phylogenetic data, without accompanying morphological information. Consequently, detailed morphological comparisons between H. sinensis and the previously described species of the genus have not been possible until now. In the present study, single-locus phylogenetic trees based on rDNA (ITS + nrLSU), TEF 1, RPB 1, and RPB 2 consistently resolved H. sinensis as a distinct lineage from its closest relatives, in accordance with the GCPSR criterion (Suppl. material 3: fig. S 5). Moreover, H. sinensis formed an independent and strongly supported clade (MLBS = 98, BPP = 1.0) in the multigene molecular phylogenetic analyses (Fig. 3) and is characterized by a unique combination of morphological features, including conidiophores bearing single phialides or whorls of two phialides, occasionally forming Verticillium - like structures, and ellipsoidal to fusiform conidia aggregated in slimy heads at the apex of phialides. Collectively, the present study provides the first comprehensive morphological characterization within the genus Husseyia, thereby contributing to a better understanding of its taxonomy.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/01CD11FF6DF7509AB9E3C134BC157DDB	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
CE650562906A500CB851AA27DFDCEC25.text	CE650562906A500CB851AA27DFDCEC25.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Liangia guizhouensis X. Y. Chang & M. J. Chen 2026	<div><p>Liangia guizhouensis X. Y. Chang &amp; M. J. Chen sp. nov.</p><p>Fig. 11</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>name refers to “ Guizhou Province ” where the holotype was collected.</p><p>Typification.</p><p>China • Guizhou Province, Tongren City, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=27.833334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.78333/lat 27.833334)">Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve</a> (27°50'N, 108°47'E), on the spider egg sac that could not be accurately identified, July 2024; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, holotype FJS 20240724-85, ex-type RCEF 7795 .</p><p>Description.</p><p>Hyphae hyaline, septate, branched, with smooth walls, 0.7–3.0 µm wide. Phialides cylindrical, occurring directly from the prostrate hyphae, gradually attenuated toward the apex, either solitary or in clusters of 2–4, 14.5–36.7 × 0.6–1.3 µm. The conidia exist in two types: macroconidia and microconidia. Both types are aseptate, transparent, with smooth walls, single-celled, and upright, either solitary or paired at the apex of the conidiophore. Both types of conidia can be produced from the same phialides, often appearing together. macroconidia fusiform or semi-ellipsoidal, 5.7–11.7 × 1.2–2.5 µm (x ̄ = 8.0 ± 1.3 × 1.9 ± 0.3 µm); microconidia oval or ellipsoidal, 2.2–4.1 (– 5.0) × 1.1–2.5 (– 3.0) µm (x ̄ = 3.0 ± 0.6 × 1.6 ± 0.4 µm).</p><p>Culture characteristics.</p><p>On PDA, colonies are white on the surface and pale yellow on the reverse, with felt-like mycelium and slow growth, reaching approximately 25 mm in diameter after 14 days at 25 ° C. On MEA, colonies are white on the surface and pale brown on the reverse, with lighter coloration around the margins. On OA, colonies are white with thin and sparse mycelium; the center lacks mycelial growth, but the colony spreads relatively quickly.</p><p>Host.</p><p>unidentified spider egg sac.</p><p>Note.</p><p>Phylogenetic analyses have confirmed that L. guizhouensis forms a distinct and well-supported clade (MLBS = 100, BPP = 1.0), closely related to L. sinensis . These are currently the only two known species within the genus. In addition, single-locus phylogenies based on rDNA (ITS + nrLSU), TEF 1, RPB 1 and RPB 2 showed genealogical concordance, each supporting the monophyly of L. guizhouensis, consistent with the criteria of GCPSR (Suppl. material 3: fig. S 7). A BLASTN search against the GenBank database revealed significant sequence divergence between the type strains of L. guizhouensis and L. sinensis YFCC 3103, with identities of 96.64 % for ITS, 99.28 % for nrLSU, 95.47 % for TEF 1, 91.55 % for RPB 1, and 86.71 % for RPB 2, providing molecular evidence for species delimitation.</p><p>Morphologically, L. guizhouensis and L. sinensis share similar characteristics, yet they exhibit slight differences in the structure of phialides and the morphology of their two types of conidia. In L. guizhouensis, phialides are solitary or arranged in verticils of 2–4, measuring 14.5–36.7 × 0.6–1.3 μm. The macroconidia are fusiform to subellipsoidal, 5.7–11.7 × 1.2–2.5 μm, while the microconidia are ovoid to ellipsoidal, 2.2–5.0 × 1.1–3.0 μm. In contrast, L. sinensis has solitary phialides, 16.7–59.0 × 0.7–1.6 μm in size. Its macroconidia are oblong to fusiform, 4.5–9.3 × 1.2–1.9 μm, and its microconidia are ellipsoidal to ellipsoid, measuring 1.8–3.3 × 1.1–1.8 μm (Wang et al. 2020). These clear morphological distinctions (Table 5), together with multi-locus phylogenetic support, allow L. guizhouensis to be confidently recognized as a new species.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/CE650562906A500CB851AA27DFDCEC25	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
1CA7DCD115425B2DA34DCC104B05E84B.text	1CA7DCD115425B2DA34DCC104B05E84B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Nuciformispora araneae (Sukarno & Kurihara) X. Y. Chang & M. J. Chen 2026	<div><p>Nuciformispora araneae (Sukarno &amp; Kurihara) X. Y. Chang &amp; M. J. Chen nom. nov.</p><p>Basionym.</p><p>Lecanicillium araneicola Sukarno &amp; Kurihara, Mycoscience 50 (5): 369–379 (2009).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/1CA7DCD115425B2DA34DCC104B05E84B	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
B27A0DD1D6C65318B8A2CE4CACB17773.text	B27A0DD1D6C65318B8A2CE4CACB17773.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Nuciformispora rasoulzarei (A. Armand & Khodap.) X. Y. Chang & M. J. Chen 2026	<div><p>Nuciformispora rasoulzarei (A. Armand &amp; Khodap.) X. Y. Chang &amp; M. J. Chen comb. nov.</p><p>Basionym.</p><p>Lecanicillium rasoulzarei A. Armand &amp; Khodap., Arch. Microbiol. 206 (no. 202): 11 (2024).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/B27A0DD1D6C65318B8A2CE4CACB17773	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
ADC8A1F5AD3155A1ADD990D31F4FB18D.text	ADC8A1F5AD3155A1ADD990D31F4FB18D.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Nuciformispora spenceae (Y. P. Tan, Bishop-Hurley & Marney) X. Y. Chang & M. J. Chen 2026	<div><p>Nuciformispora spenceae (Y. P. Tan, Bishop-Hurley &amp; Marney) X. Y. Chang &amp; M. J. Chen comb. nov.</p><p>Basionym.</p><p>Lecanicillium spenceae Y. P. Tan, Bishop-Hurley &amp; Marney, Index Austral. Fungi 22: 3 (2023).</p><p>Note.</p><p>Our multigene phylogenetic analyses indicate that three members of the former Lecanicillium aranearum species complex — L. araneicola, L. spenceae, and L. rasoulzarei — are phylogenetically nested within Nuciformispora, and therefore should be transferred to this genus. This result addresses a long-standing taxonomic uncertainty first recognized by Zare and Gams (2001), who noted that this morphologically and ecologically cohesive group required further investigation.</p><p>The genus Nuciformispora was only recently established in 2025, with N. sinense designated as the type species; its members are predominantly associated with spiders and insects (Chen et al. 2025 c). N. araneae, N. spenceae, and N. rasoulzarei conform well to this host range. Morphologically, these three species also agree with the diagnostic characteristics of Nuciformispora, including white colonies in surface view, phialides occurring solitarily or in groups of two to four, and the presence or absence of octahedral crystals (Table 6). Therefore, these results support the placement of the three species within the genus Nuciformispora .</p><p>This taxonomic revision further reassesses certain species previously assigned to Lecanicillium sensu lato and helps resolve some of the remaining issues associated with this broadly defined genus. Lecanicillium sensu lato has been shown to comprise multiple phylogenetically distinct lineages distributed among different genera within Cordycipitaceae (Zhou et al. 2022; Khonsanit et al. 2024). Nevertheless, several taxa currently placed in Lecanicillium remain unresolved. For example, L. fusisporum appears to represent an isolated lineage for which no appropriate generic placement is presently available.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/ADC8A1F5AD3155A1ADD990D31F4FB18D	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
26DF3C195A7656C3B5FAD3B92506162F.text	26DF3C195A7656C3B5FAD3B92506162F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Purpureocillium araneicola X. Y. Chang & M. J. Chen 2026	<div><p>Purpureocillium araneicola X. Y. Chang &amp; M. J. Chen sp. nov.</p><p>Fig. 12</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>referring to the ability to colonize spider.</p><p>Typification.</p><p>China • Guizhou Province, Tongren City, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=27.833334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.78333/lat 27.833334)">Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve</a> (27°50'N, 108°47'E), on a dead spider ( Araneae), July 2024; Xiaoyun Chang and Mingjun Chen, holotype FJS 20240723-50, ex-type RCEF 7731 .</p><p>Description.</p><p>A tomentose mycelium, grayish-white to pale grayish-purple, completely covers the body wall of the host spider, with abundant conidia produced on the surface at later stages. Hyphae hyaline, smooth-walled, branched, 1.5–3.0 μm wide. Conidiophores hyaline, erect, elongate, 50–186 × 2.2–4.5 μm, distinctly septate with internodes 10–40 μm long. Conidiophores produce short branches at septa; branches verticillate, hyaline, aseptate, short-cylindrical, 4.5–8.5 × 2.6–5.5 μm. Branch apices bear solitary or 2–5 verticillate phialides; phialides obovate to cylindrical at base, occasionally tapering apically, 4.5–8.0 × 2.6–4.5 μm. Conidia hyaline, smooth-walled, thin-walled, ellipsoidal to ovoid, formed in chains, 4.5–8.2 × 2.5–5.3 μm. The shape and size of phialides and conidia in culture conditions were similar to those on spiders.</p><p>Culture characteristics.</p><p>On PDA, colonies are initially white on the surface, gradually turning greyish purple in the center at later stages; the reverse is pale yellow, with lighter coloration at the margins. Mycelium is velvety, and growth is slow, reaching approximately 35 mm in diameter after 14 days at 25 ° C. Colonies display distinct concentric rings. On 1 / 4 SDAY, colony growth is also slow, with the surface initially white and later developing grayish purple patches at the margins, the reverse remains pale yellow.</p><p>Host.</p><p>spider ( Araneae).</p><p>Additional material examined.</p><p>China • Anhui Province, Chizhou City, Shitai County, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=117.48333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=30.066668" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 117.48333/lat 30.066668)">Guniujiang Scenic Area</a> (30°04'N, 117°29'E), on a dead spider, August 2020; Ting Wang and Mingjun Chen, GNJ 20200814-05 . China • Guangdong Province, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=114.13333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=22.6" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 114.13333/lat 22.6)">Shenzhen City</a>, Nanling County (22°36'N, 114°08'E), on a dead spider, August 2021; Qianle Lu, NL 20210822-14 .</p><p>Note.</p><p>Phylogenetic analyses have shown that P. araneicola forms a distinct and well-supported clade (MLBS = 98, BPP = 1.0), indicating a close relationship with P. atypicola and P. atlanticum . In addition, single-locus phylogenies based on rDNA (ITS + nrLSU), TEF 1, RPB 1 and RPB 2 showed genealogical concordance, each supporting the monophyly of P. araneicola, consistent with GCPSR (Suppl. material 3: fig. S 8). A BLASTN search of the GenBank database revealed substantial sequence divergence between the type strain of P. araneicola and P. atypicola CBS 744.73, with identities of 95.44 % for nrLSU, 93.90 % for TEF 1 and 86.20 % for RPB 1. And the nrLSU sequence of P. araneicola showed 95.69 % identity with that of P. atlanticum FLOR 73173. Morphologically, P. araneicola is distinguished from P. atypicola by having its notably longer conidiophores, measuring 50–186 × 2.2–4.5 μm, compared to 6.0–12.0 × 2–3 μm in P. atypicola, and slightly broader conidia, measuring 4.5–8.2 × 2.5–5.3 μm vs. 3.5–8.0 × 1.5–3 μm. P. araneicola was distinguished from P. atlanticum by its larger conidia [ellipsoidal to ovoid, 4.5–8.2 × 2.5–5.3 μm vs cylindrical, (3.49 –) 4.3–6.37 (– 6.6) × (1.6 –) 1.68–2.44 (– 2.7) μm]. Purpureocillium species display diverse ecological strategies and host associations, engaging in saprobic, symbiotic, or parasitic interactions with a wide range of organisms (Ban et al. 2015 a; Figueredo et al. 2020; Calvillo-Medina et al. 2021; Zhang et al. 2022; Ferreira-Machado et al. 2023; Chang et al. 2024 b; Chen et al. 2024 b). To date, with the exception of P. atypicola and P. atlanticum, only P. lilacinum has been documented infecting spiders, based on a single record from Argentina (Manfrino et al. 2017). Notably, our study identifies an additional spider-associated lineage within this genus through the description of P. araneicola, a sister species to P. atypicola and P. atlanticum that can be readily distinguished based on molecular data. All three species exhibit a spider-parasitic lifestyle, suggesting a strong host association and ecological similarity among phylogenetically close taxa.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/26DF3C195A7656C3B5FAD3B92506162F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Chang, Xiao-Yun;Qi, Yan-Jia;Wang, Ting;Li, Zeng-Zhi;Li, Guang-Shuo;Huang, Bo;Chen, Ming-Jun	Chang, Xiao-Yun, Qi, Yan-Jia, Wang, Ting, Li, Zeng-Zhi, Li, Guang-Shuo, Huang, Bo, Chen, Ming-Jun (2026): Taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolutionary diversification of spider-pathogenic fungi from China (Hypocreales, Ascomycota). IMA Fungus 17: e 171548, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171548
