Clavicipitaceae is a fungal group that comprises species that closely interact with plants as pathogens, parasites or symbionts. A key factor in these interactions is the ability of these fungi to synthesize toxic alkaloid compounds that contribute to the protection of the plant host against herbivores. Some of these compounds such as ergot alkaloids are toxic to humans and have caused importan...

Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses were conducted to address the evolution of Clavicipitaceae (Ascomycota). Data are presented here for approximately 5900 base pairs from portions of seven loci: the nuclear ribosomal small and large subunit DNA (nrSSU and nrLSU), beta-tubulin, elongation factor 1alpha (EF-1alpha), the largest and second largest subunits of RNA polymerase II (RPB1 and RPB2), and m...

A new genus, Regiocrella, is described with two species, R. camerunensis and R. sinensis, based on specimens collected in Cameroon and China. Both species are parasitic on scale insects (Coccidae, Homoptera). Morphological and molecular evidence place the new genus in the Clavicipitaceae (Hypocreales), despite its combination of characters that are atypical of that family; Regiocrella is charac...

Yeast-like endosymbionts (YLSs) of insects often are restricted to specific hosts and are essential to the host's survival. For example, in planthoppers (Homoptera: Delphacidae), endosymbionts function in sterol utilization and nitrogen recycling for the hosts. Our study, designed to investigate evolutionary changes in the YLS lineage involved in the planthopper association, strongly suggests a...

The occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi isolated from stored grain insect pests sampled from various geographical regions of Punjab, Pakistan, was investigated. In total, 25,720 insects from six different species were evaluated, and 195 isolates from 24 different fungal species were recovered. These included the Ascomycetes Beauveria bassiana sensu lato (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Clavic...

Grass-associated fungi (grass symbionts) in the family Clavicipitaceae (Ascomycota, Hypocreales) are species whose host range is restricted to the plant family Poaceae and rarely Cyperaceae. The best-characterized species include Claviceps purpurea (ergot of rye) and Neotyphodium coenophialum (endophyte of tall fescue). They have been the focus of considerable research due to their importance i...

Entomopathogens and other econutritional fungi belonging to Clavicipitaceae were phylogenetically analyzed on the basis of the 18S rRNA gene and mating-type genes (MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1). The phylogenies of the mating-type genes yielded better resolutions than that of 18S rRNA gene. Entomopathogens (Cordyceps bassiana, Cordyceps brongniartii, Cordyceps militaris, Cordyceps sinclairii, Cordyceps...

The phylogenetic lineage, taxonomic affiliation and interrelationships of important asexual entomopathogenic fungal genera were studied using the sequences of partial regions of beta-tubulin and rRNA genes. The species structures of Beauveria bassiana and Nomuraea rileyi were also investigated. A total of 147 fungal entries covering 94 species were analysed. Phylogenetic analysis placed all the...