Ophiocordyceps integrispora sp. nov., a Coleopteran‐Associated Fungus From Jilin, China

Abstract

Cordycipitoid fungi represent a diverse group of entomopathogens frequently characterized through integrated multigene phylogenetic and morphological analyses. In this study, we describe Ophiocordyceps integrispora , a new species discovered parasitizing coleopteran larvae in Jilin Province, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on a three‐locus dataset (LSU, SSU, and rpb1 ) reveals that O. integrispora forms a distinct lineage closely related to O. albostroma , yet phylogenetically isolated from other members of the genus. Morphologically, O. integrispora is distinguished from O. albostroma by its dark‐colored stromata, subterminal fertile part, immersed perithecia, and fusiform asci. Notably, its ascospores are aseptate, filiform to fusiform, and remain intact at maturity. Furthermore, we provide a comparative overview of coleopteran‐associated species within related clades to clarify their diagnostic characters and phylogenetic affinities.