Phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Purpureocillium based on multilocus nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, with the description of Purpureocillium xinfangense sp. nov. (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) from Southwestern China.
- 1School of Mathematics and Computer Science, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
- 2The International Joint Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Cordyceps Bioresources in China and Southeast Asia, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
- 3Yunnan Herbal Laboratory, School of Chemistry and Environment, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Abstract
Introduction
The phylogenetic relationships within the genus Purpureocillium remain incompletely resolved. In this study, we reconstructed the phylogeny of Purpureocillium using multilocus nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data and evaluated the taxonomic status of a newly collected fungal species from southwestern China.Methods
Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using five nuclear loci (ITS, 18S, 28S, TEF1-α, and RPB1) and mitochondrial gene sequences. Morphological characteristics were examined for the newly collected fungus and compared with those of P. lilacinum, P. lavendulum, and P. takamizusanense. Mitochondrial genomes of these four species were also analyzed for genome structure, gene composition, and nucleotide characteristics.Results
Morphological and phylogenetic evidence supported the recognition of a new species, Purpureocillium xinfangense. It was characterized by conidiophores bearing two or three whorls of phialides, predominantly short cylindrical phialides with a mucronate apex, and elongated conidia arranged in chains. Mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis placed P. xinfangense in a distinct lineage with high topological stability. The mitochondrial genomes of all four examined species were circular, whereas the genome of P. xinfangense was approximately four to five times larger than those of the other three species. All four species showed positive GC skew values. Among the 15 protein-coding genes, nad5 was the longest and atp8 the shortest, while tRNA genes ranged from 71 to 87 bp.Discussion
Although P. xinfangense is currently known from a single collection, its distinctive morphology, rare ant-associated substrate, and concordant support from nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenetic datasets justify its recognition as a distinct evolutionary lineage. These findings expand current knowledge of species diversity and mitochondrial genome evolution within Purpureocillium.
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BibTeX
@article{liu2026phylogenetic,
title = {{Phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Purpureocillium based on multilocus nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, with the description of Purpureocillium xinfangense sp. nov. (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) from Southwestern China.}},
author = {Xiaoyan Liu and Hao Wang and Lijun Luo and Zuoheng Liu and Yangtao Yu and Baomin Fan and Hong Yu},
journal = {Frontiers in fungal biology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/ffunb.2026.1972355},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42947997},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Purpureocillium based on multilocus nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, with the description of Purpureocillium xinfangense sp. nov. (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) from Southwestern China.
AU - Xiaoyan Liu
AU - Hao Wang
AU - Lijun Luo
AU - Zuoheng Liu
AU - Yangtao Yu
AU - Baomin Fan
AU - Hong Yu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - Frontiers in fungal biology
DO - 10.3389/ffunb.2026.1972355
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42947997
AB - Introduction The phylogenetic relationships within the genus Purpureocillium remain incompletely resolved. In this study, we reconstructed the phylogeny of Purpureocillium using multilocus nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data and evaluated the taxonomic status of a newly collected fungal species from southwestern China.Methods Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using five nuclear loci (ITS, 18S, 28S, TEF1-α, and RPB1) and mitochondrial gene sequences. Morphological characteristics were examined for the newly collected fungus and compared with those of P. lilacinum, P. lavendulum, and P. takamizusanense. Mitochondrial genomes of these four species were also analyzed for genome structure, gene composition, and nucleotide characteristics.Results Morphological and phylogenetic evidence supported the recognition of a new species, Purpureocillium xinfangense. It was characterized by conidiophores bearing two or three whorls of phialides, predominantly short cylindrical phialides with a mucronate apex, and elongated conidia arranged in chains. Mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis placed P. xinfangense in a distinct lineage with high topological stability. The mitochondrial genomes of all four examined species were circular, whereas the genome of P. xinfangense was approximately four to five times larger than those of the other three species. All four species showed positive GC skew values. Among the 15 protein-coding genes, nad5 was the longest and atp8 the shortest, while tRNA genes ranged from 71 to 87 bp.Discussion Although P. xinfangense is currently known from a single collection, its distinctive morphology, rare ant-associated substrate, and concordant support from nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenetic datasets justify its recognition as a distinct evolutionary lineage. These findings expand current knowledge of species diversity and mitochondrial genome evolution within Purpureocillium.
SN - 2673-6128
ER -