Unveiling species diversity within the family Conidiobolaceae (Entomophthorales) in China: Descriptions of two new species and reassessment of the taxonomic position of Conidiobolus polyspermus

Abstract

In the present study, two new Conidiobolus s.s. species were described relying on the morphological studies and phylogenetic analysis utilizing nuclear large subunit of rDNA (nucLSU), mitochondrial small subunit of rDNA (mtSSU), and elongation-factor-like gene (EFL) sequences. Conidiobolus jiangxiensis sp. nov. is distinguished by its short primary conidiophores, a feature not commonly observed in other Conidiobolus s.s. species. Conversely, Conidiobolus marcoconidius sp. nov. is characterized by larger primary conidia and the emergence of 2–5 secondary conidia from each branched secondary conidiophores. Additionally, the taxonomic reassessment of C. polyspermus confirms its distinct status within the genus Conidiobolus s.s. Moreover, molecular analyses, incorporating the nucLSU, mtSSU, and EFL sequences, provide robust support for the phylogenetic placement of the two newly described species and the taxonomic identity of C. polyspermus. This investigation contributes valuable insights into the species diversity of Conidiobolaceae in China, enhancing our understanding of the taxonomy within this fungal family.