Cordycipitoid fungi, encompassing the four families Clavicipitaceae , Cordycipitaceae , Ophiocordycipitaceae , and Polycephalomycetaceae , have been the focus of intensive molecular phylogenetic and taxonomic research over the past twenty years. Utilizing a six-locus dataset (LSU, ITS, SSU, tef1-α , rpb1 , and rpb2 ) with expanded taxon sampling, this study establishes a robust phylogenetic framework for this group, with particular emphasis on the Ophiocordycipitaceae . Our work significantly expands the documented diversity of cordycipitoid fungi in China through the description of nine new species: Cordyceps multisynnematosa , Metarhizium acrididarum , Ophiocordyceps sungii , O. brunneascospora , O. ramosiphialidica , O. rubella , Paraisaria clavata , Par. cocoonihabita , Purpureomyces fenggangensis and reports three new records: Jenniferia thomisidarum , O. brunneipunctata , and Pleurocordyceps heilongtanensis . Macro- and micro-morphological descriptions are provided to support the taxonomic placement of these new taxa. Beyond taxonomic additions, we have accessed to the morphological diversity of the asexual morphs of Cordyceps , Metarhizium , Ophiocordyceps, Paraisaria , and Purpureomyces , elucidating conserved and divergent features in phialides and conidia. Beyond enhancing knowledge of cordycipitoid fungal phylogeny and diversity in China, this study highlights the pressing need for sustained exploration of entomopathogenic fungi and their ecological roles.
Peng et al. (Thu,) studied this question.