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During a survey of entomopathogenetic fungi from Southwest China, a new species, Akanthomyces lepidopterorum was found on an undetermined lepidopteran larva. It differs from other species based on mostly smaller conidia, mononematous conidiophores and moderate length of phialide. Both the morphological identification and phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, LSU and RPB2 sequence data support A. lepidopterorum as a new species. A new combination is also proposed in the genus Akanthomyces.

The study aimed to explore the bacterial community composition and the functions of core microbiota in Eucommia ulmoides bark. The bark samples of E. ulmoides were collected from Wangcang Sichuan Province, Cili Hunan Province, and Zunyi Guizhou Province, in China, respectively. Through the high-throughput sequencing methods and techniques, the community composition, core microbiota, and function of the bacteria were studied. The bacterial community of E. ulmoides bark consisted of 9 phyla, 11 classes, 22 orders, 28 families, 31 genera, and 37 OTUs. At the genus level, the dominant genus was the unclassified bacteria of Cyanobacteria, with a relative abundance of 97.01%. The bacterial communities of E. ulmoides bark from different areas have their unique units except for the common microbiota. The core microbiota of bacteria included an unclassified genus of Cyanobacteria, an unclassified genus of Mitochondria, Pseudomonas, Sphingobium, Rhizobium, Novosphingobium, Enterobacter, Rhodococcus, Curtobacterium, and Ralstonia. FAPROTAX function prediction suggested that the core microbiota has a substantial potential for photoautotrophy, phototrophy, aerobic chemoheterotrophy, chemoheterotrophy. Ten taxa composed the core microbiota, and the majority of them were related to the pharmacologically active ingredients of E. ulmoides bark. The research provides a scientific basis for the biological marker of genuineness and microbial technology for improving the content of medicinal ingredients of E. ulmoides.

During a survey of keratinolytic fungi in China, three Cunninghamella strains were isolated. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS and ITS+LSU+EF-1α sequence data showed that these strains constitute a new species related to C. blakesleeana, C. bigelovii, C. multiverticillata and C. phaeospora. The new species differs from C. multiverticillata and C. phaeospora in the shape and size of its teminal and lateral vesicles and can be distinguished from C. blakesleeana and C. bigelovii by the absent of zygosporangia, and the shape and size of it sporangioles. The results of phylogenetic and morphological analyses indicate that the three strains are a new species of Cunninghamella. Descriptions and illustrations of this novel species are provided in this paper.

Ant-pathogenic fungi are mainly found in the Ophiocordycipitaceae, rarely in the Cordycipitaceae. During a survey of entomopathogenetic fungi from Southwest China, a new species, Cordyceps yinjiangensis, was isolated from the ponerine. It differs from other Cordyceps species by its ant host, shorter phialides, and smaller septate conidia formed in an imbricate chain. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combined datasets of (LSU+RPB2+TEF) and (ITS+TEF) confirmed that C. yinjiangensis is distinct from other species. The new species is formally described and illustrated, and compared to similar species.

A new species, Akanthomyces neocoleopterorum, which was isolated from an infected ladybug, is introduced. Morphological comparisons with extant species and DNA-based phylogenies from analysis of a multigene dataset support the establishment of the new species. It differs from other species by having mononematous and verticillium-like conidiophores, longer phialides, and mostly cylindrical conidia. Both the morphological identification and phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, LSU, RPB1, RPB2 and TEF sequence data support A. neocoleopterorum as a new species in the genus Akanthomyces.

During a survey of rhizosphere soil fungi of Eucommia ulmoides in China, three Gongronella strains were isolated. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these strains grouped into a separate subclade, closely related to Gongronella sichuanensis. The new strains could be distinguished from G. sichuanensis by the smooth-walled, subglobose, or conical-cylindrical apophyses. Both phylogenetic analysis and morphological characteristics supported the three strains being a new species, named as Gongronella zunyiensis.

During a survey of entomopathogenetic fungi from Southwest China, a new species, Paracremonium lepidopterorum was isolated from a pupa. It differs from other Paracremonium species by its shorter cylindrical phialides and absence of slimy head of conidia and chlamydospores. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combined datasets of ITS+LSU+TUB confirmed that P. lepidopterorum is distinct from other species. The new species is formally described and illustrated, and compared to similar species.

Gongronella is known as soil-borne fungi. During a survey of fungi in southwest China, four strains of the genus Gongronella were isolated from soil. One strain was identified as G. butleri, while the other three were proposed as a new species, Gongronella sichuanensis based on morphological observation as well as a phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU sequence data. The new taxon was described, illustrated and compared with known species. Meanwhile, the key of the genus Gongronella was updated and provided in this paper.

During a survey of spider-pathogenic fungi from Southwest China, a new araneogenous species was found. The new species, Akanthomyces araneicola, differs from other species based on mostly smaller fusiform conidia (2.5–5.0 × 1.3–1.9 μm), mononematous conidiophores and, additionally, in parasitising a spider. Both the morphological identification and phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, LSU, RPB1, RPB2 and TEF sequence data support A. araneicola as a new species in the genus Akanthomyces.

In this paper, we introduce three new species ofSimplicillium, viz.S. cicadellidae,S. formicidaeandS. lepidopterorum, which were isolated from an infected leafhopper, ant and carpenterworm, respectively. Morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analyses based on multigene datasets (LSU+RPB1+RPB2+TEF and ITS+LSU) support the establishment of the three new species.Simplicillium cicadellidaewas distinguished from other species in morphological characteristics by having smaller phialides and ellipsoidal conidia, and lacking octahedral crystals. The reverse of colonies were yellowish (#FFBF00), especially in the middle, and radially sulcate.Simplicillium formicidaewas morphologically distinguished from other by having longer phialides and filiform to fusoid conidia, and by lacking octahedral crystals.Simplicillium lepidopterorumwas morphologically distinguished from other species by having smaller, ellipsoidal to fusiform conidia, and by lacking octahedral crystals. The reverse of the colony was pale white. The three new species are likely to be nourished by plant to animal (especially insect) nutrients based on the evolutionary pattern of the Hypocreales, and they are described herein as being clearly distinct from other species inSimplicillium.

The genus Plectosphaerella is the largest genus in the family Plectosphaerellaceae. Some species are plant pathogens, whereas others are soil-borne. Seven Plectosphaerella isolates were collected from various locations in the southwest of China. Using multi-locus phylogenetic (LSU, ITS, EF1α, RPB2) analyses combined with morphological characteristics, two new species, Plectosphaerella guizhouensissp. nov. and Plectosphaerella nauculasporasp. nov. are described, illustrated and compared with related species.

Two new species, Chrysosporium laterisporum and C. ovalisporum, were isolated from forest soils and zoo soils in Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China, using child hair as baits. Molecular (ITS-5.8S rDNA sequences) and morphological characters were used to identify taxonomic status. The phylogeny showed C. laterisporum and C. ovalisporum grouped into a separate subclade, closely related to C. georgii, C. magnasporum, C. oceanitesii and C. vespertilium. These previously described Chrysosporium species can be distinguished from the new species based on morphology alone.

During a survey of araneogenous fungi from Guizhou Province, China, a new species, Akanthomyces araneogenum , was isolated from a spider, Araneus sp. It differs from other Akanthomyces species by its spider host, Isaria -like conidiogenous structure, and mostly globose and smaller conidia (1.6–2.2 μm). Multi-locus ( ITS , LSU , RPB1 , RPB2 and TEF ) phylogenetic analysis confirmed that A. araneogenum is distinct from other species. The new species is formally described and illustrated, and compared with similar species.

Beauveria majiangensis sp . nov ., a fungal grub parasite, isolated from a blueberry farm in Guizhou Province, China, is herein described based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Beauveria majiangensis differs from other Beauveria species based on its indeterminate, denticulate rachis, cylindrical or sometimes subspherical conidiogenous cells, and ellipsoidal conidia. Phylogenetic analyses based on four loci ( TEF , RPB1 , Bloc , and ITS ) strongly support that this strain is distinct within Beauveria .

During a survey of araneogenous fungi from Guiyang, Guizhou, China, a new species, Lecanicillium araneogenum , was isolated from a spider. It differs from other Lecanicillium species by its spider host, and cylindrical conidia. Multi-locus ( TEF , RPB1 , RPB2 , LSU and SSU rRNA ) phylogenetic analysis confirmed that L. araneogenum is distinct from other species. The new species is formally described and illustrated, and compared to similar species.

Acrophialophora liboensis , a new fungus from soil samples in Libo County, Guizhou Province, China, is illustrated and described on the basis of morphological and molecular sequences data. Phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and β-tubulin sequences demonstrated that A . liboensis is a distinct species closely related to A . cinerea and A . furcata . Morphologically, A . liboensis is characterized by solitary and lateral phialides tapering into thin necks and long chains of ellipsoidal or oval conidia. The ex-type living culture has been deposited in CGMCC, Beijing City, China.

Beauveria araneola sp. nov., a fungus parasitic on spiders, was isolated from a spider at the Experimental Farm of the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, China; and described with morphological and phylogenetic evidences. This species differs morphologically from other species in the genus by its long slender denticulate rachis, cylindrical to ellipsoid conidiogenous cells, and ellipsoidal to globose conidia. Phylogenetic analyses based on three-locus (TEF, RPB1 and Bloc) data strongly support the distinction of this fungus within the genus. Based on the phylogenetic results, B. araneola shares some pleiomorphic traits with soil-borne or entomogenous members of the genus, and is likely to have jumped from soil or insect hosts to spider.

An entomopathogenic taxon from a wetland area in Guiyang City, China was found to be a novel species of Metarhizium based on both morphology and phylogeny. The new species, which has unique, slender and cylindrical, Akanthomyces-like synnemata is described, illustrated and named Metarhizium synnematis. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequence data confirmed that M. synnematis belongs in Metarhizium. It differs from other species of Metarhizium in having relatively small, ellipsoidal to cylindrical or sub-clavate conidia, coated with a thin mucilaginous sheath which aggregates spores into sticky masses.

Fungal isolates GZUIFR-EM14.2002 and GZUIFR-EM66601 were respectively isolated from Chinese soil samples under the snake skin in Guizhou Province and from the soil samples under the feathers in Hubei Province, China. Morphological and molecular evidence support both isolates as new species of Chrysosporium . Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS-5.8S rDNA sequences grouped GZUIFR-EM14.2002 together with C . lucknowense and C . mephiticum . GZUIFR-EM14.2002, which could be distinguished from the latter two species by the presence of abundant intercalary conidia, was named C . guizhouens e sp. nov. In the phylogenetic tree, GZUIFR-EM66601 was most closely related to C. submersum and C . siglerae , GZUIFR-EM66601 differed from the other two species in having small obovate to ellipsoidal conidia and no intercalary conidia; this strain was designated as C . hubeiense sp. nov. Holotypes and their isolates had been deposited in GZAC, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China.