Phylogeny and systematics of the anamorphic, entomopathogenic genusBeauveria

AbstractBeauveria is a cosmopolitan anamorphic genus of arthropod pathogens that includes the agronomically important species, B. bassiana and B. brongniartii, which are used as mycoinsecticides for the biological control of pest insects. Recent phylogenetic evidence demonstrates that Beauveria is monophyletic within the Cordycipitaceae (Hypocreales), and both B. bassiana and B. brongniartii have been linked developmentally and phylogenetically to Cordyceps species. Despite recent interest in the genetic diversity and molecular ecology of Beauveria, particularly as it relates to their role as pathogens of insects in natural and agricultural environments, the genus has not received critical taxonomic review for several decades. A multilocus phylogeny of Beauveria based on partial sequences of RPB1, RPB2, TEF and the nuclear intergenic region, Bloc, is presented and used to assess diversity within the genus and to evaluate species concepts and their taxonomic status. B. bassiana and B. brongniartii, both which represent species complexes and which heretofore have lacked type specimens, are redescribed and types are proposed. In addition six new species are described including B. varroae and B. kipukae, which form a biphyletic, morphologically cryptic sister lineage to B. bassiana, B. pseudobassiana, which also is morphologically similar to but phylogenetically distant from B. bassiana, B. asiatica and B. australis, which are sister lineages to B. brongniartii, and B. sungii, an Asian species that is linked to an undetermined species of Cordyceps. The combination B. amorpha is validly published and an epitype is designated.KeywordsAscomycotaBeauveria bassiana complexB. brongniartii complexcryptic speciesinsect fungiphylogeny ACKNOWLEDGMENTSWe are extremely grateful for the help of Veronica Martins, Ellen P. Buckley, Karen Hansen, Michael M. Wheeler and Clare Whittaker who provided invaluable laboratory support throughout this investigation. In addition we thank Christian Feuillet for his assistance in editing the Latin diagnoses, Genevieve Lewis-Gentry at FH for providing information on the holotype of Isaria amorpha and Ted Schultz for advice and assistance with the Bayesian analysis. The mention of trade products or firm names does not imply that the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends them over similar products or firms not mentioned.