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A multilocus phylogeny of the Metarhizium anisopliae lineage

     ¹ USDA, APHIS, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Room 304, Building 011A, Beltsville, MD, 20705, United States of America
² USDA-ARS Insect Biocontrol Lab, Bldg 011A Rm 214 BARC-W, Beltsville, MD, 20705, United States
³ USDA-ARS, Ithaca, New York

Metarhizium anisopliae, the type species of the anamorph entomopathogenic genus Metarhizium, is currently composed of four varieties, including the type variety, and previously has been demonstrated to be closely related to M. taii, M. pingshaense, and M. guizhouense. In this study we evaluate phylogenetic relationships within the M. anisopliae complex, identify monophyletic lineages and clarify the species taxonomy. To this end, we have employed a multigene phylogenetic approach utilizing near-complete sequences from nuclear encoded EF-1, RPB1, RPB2, and B-tubulin gene regions and evaluated the morphology of these taxa, including ex-type isolates whenever possible. The phylogenetic and, in some cases, morphological evidence supports the monophyly of nine terminal taxa in the M. anisopliae complex that we recognize as species. We propose to recognize at species rank M. anisopliae, M. guizhouense, M. pingshaense, M. acridum stat. nov., M. lepidiotae stat. nov., and M. majus stat. nov. In addition, we describe the new species M. globosum and M. robertsii, resurrect the name M. brunneum, and show that M. taii is a later synonym of M. guizhouense.

Key words: biocontrol, Clavicipitaceae, Cordyceps, entomopathogen, green muscardine