Comparison of the germination rates of Metarhizium spp. conidia from Japan at high and low temperatures

The relationships between the growth characteristics and phylogenetic placements have not been adequately investigated in species of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium. This study determined the relationships between the germination rates in hot and cold conditions and the phylogenetic placements of 89 Japanese soil isolates of Metarhizium spp. Fourteen isolates each of M. brunneum and M. flavoviride var. pemphigi, identified by molecular phylogenetic analysis, showed relatively high germination rates at lower temperatures and low germination rates at higher temperatures compared with isolates, which were identified as six other species. This study detected a strong relationship between the phylogenetic placements of Japanese Metarhizium spp. isolates and their in vitro germination characteristics.