Find in Library

Many <i>Isaria</i>-like species have recently been moved into more appropriate genera. However, more robust molecular phylogenetic analyses are still required for <i>Isaria</i>-like fungi to ensure accurate taxonomic identification. We analyzed these <i>Isaria</i>-like strains using multi-gene phylogenetics. Cryptic diversity was discovered in several <i>Isaria farinosa</i> strains, and two new species, <i>Samsoniella pseudogunnii</i> and <i>S. pupicola</i>, are proposed. Our results reveal that more attention needs to be paid to cryptic intraspecific diversity across different isolates and genotypes of the <i>Isaria</i>-like species, some of which will need to be transferred to <i>Samsoniella</i>. Interestingly, <i>S. hepiali</i>, with a very broad host distribution, has been widely used as a medicinal and edible cordycipitoid fungus.