Taxonomy and systematics of the fungus-growing ant associate Escovopsis (Hypocreaceae).

ABSTRACT: Escovopsis is a symbiont of fungus-growing ant colonies. Unstandardised taxonomy prevented the evaluation of the morphological diversity of Escovopsis for more than a century. The aim of this study is to create a standardised taxonomic framework to assess the morphological and phylogenetic diversity of Escovopsis. Therefore, to set the foundation for Escovopsis taxonomy and allow interspecific comparisons within the genus, we redescribe the ex-type cultures of Escovopsis aspergilloides, E. clavata, E. lentecrescens, E. microspora, E. moelleri, E. multiformis, and E. weberi. Thus, based on the parameters adopted in this study combined with phylogenetic analyses using five molecular markers, we synonymize E. microspora with E. weberi, a

SUBMITTER: Montoya QV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10825746 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature