Phenotypic polymorphism of the stilbellaceous entomogenous fungi in an ant nest of Ponera II . A cryptic new Tilachlidium species , Tilachlidium poneraticum

[Objective] To identify the taxonomic status of a stilbaceous entomopathogenic fungus collected on the soldier ant of Ponera. [Methods] The analysis mainly based on phenotypic traits (especially from the nutritional supplies), combined of molecular phylogeny and splits network. [Results] The strain GZAC XCH-ant-710 distinguished from the other Tilachlidium species by the ant host, the size of phialide and conidia, (11.9−16.2) μm×1.1 μm, (2.2−4.3) μm×1.1 μm, respectively. [Conclusion] The strain GZAC XCH-ant-710 is a new species, supported by the phenotypic traits (especially from the nutritional supplies), species delimitation, theory of evolutionary relationship, and multipath of combined analysis, and named Tilachlidium poneraticum. 380 微生物学通报 Microbiol. China 2016, Vol.43, No.2 Tel: 010-64807511; E-mail: tongbao@im.ac.cn; http://journals.im.ac.cn/wswxtbcn