| Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones&Spatafora, naturally distributed in the alpine meadow area between3000-5000m of China, Bhutan, Nepal and India only, has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine. It is an entomopathogenic fungus belonging to the Ophiocordeceps of the Ophiocordycipitaceae of the Hypocreales of the Ascomycets. The host is the larve of the Hepialidae spp. Besides, O. sinensis is one of the most famous and valuable fungi.The original type specimens from China lack mature asci and ascospores, which puzzled the correct understandings and identification of this species. In order to clarify the concept of the species, the mature O. sinensis specimens collected from the probable type locality, Kanding of Sichuan Province in China, were designated as epitype. In addition, there are viable ex-type living cultures of O. sinensis. The morphological characteristics of epitype and ex-type cultures are described in detail both macroscopically and microscopically. Phylogeny analysis based on nrDNA ITS and other six genes combination (nrSSU, nrLSU, tef1, rpb1, rpb2and tub) indicated that the epitype has close phylogenetic affinities to the O. sinensis EFCC7287and they are belong to Ophiocordyceps of Ophiocordycipitaceae with100%bootstrap support. Most importantly, the epitype, consistent with the original type specimens, provided some important taxonomic indexes such as perithecia, ascus cup, asci, ascospores and ascospores. The appropriate epitype will replace the holotype of Berkeley and represent clearly what is exact Ophiocordyceps sinensis.Different O. sinensis-like species were reported and there is various understandings on the taxonomic status of these species C. gansuensis K. Zhang, C. Wang&M. Yan, C. crassispora M. Zang, D.R. Yang&C.D. Li, and C. kangdingensis M. Zang&N. Kinjo, C. multiaxialis M. Zang&N. Kinjo, C. nepalensis M. Zang&N. Kinjo and O. laojunshanensis J.Y. Chen, Y.Q. Cao&D.R. Yang. Different opinions and understandings about these species were listed. For clearing the relationships between these species and O. sinensis, morphology and molecular study will be discussed. In this study, the morphology of O. laojunshanensis was compared with the epitype of O. sinensis. The data suggested that they have the similar characters. In addition, O. laojunshanensis and O. sinensis belong to the same clade. So they should be the same species. The ITS sequence of O. multiaxis is little different with O. sinensis, however the original specimens of C. multiaxialis is immature, their relationship need a further study. Designating an epitype for O. multiaxis will be a better way to solve it.Based9genes (nrDNA ITS, nrSSU, nrLSU, tef1, MAT1-1-1, MAT1-2-1, rpb1, rpb2and tub) intraspecific variation and genetic diversity of O. sinensis were discussed and the results supported Zhang’s opinion that Linzhi may be the original location of O. sinensis. O. sinensis from the east border of Hengduan Mountains (Laojunshan region in Yunnan) and the east boundary of Himalayas (a boundary with Hengduan Mountains) has obvious genetic diversity. |
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