AUTHOR=Sharma Aakriti , Kaur Ekjot , Joshi Robin , Kumari Pooja , Khatri Abhishek , Swarnkar Mohit Kumar , Kumar Dinesh , Acharya Vishal , Nadda Gireesh 

TITLE=Systematic analyses with genomic and metabolomic insights reveal a new species, Ophiocordyceps indica sp. nov. from treeline area of Indian Western Himalayan region

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1188649

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1188649

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Ophiocordyceps</italic> is a species-rich genus in the order <italic>Hypocreales</italic> (<italic>Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota</italic>) depicting a fascinating relationship between microbes and insects. In the present study, a new species, <italic>Ophiocordyceps indica</italic> sp. nov., is discovered infecting lepidopteran larvae from tree line locations (2,202–2,653 m AMSL) of the Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh, Indian Western Himalayan region, using combinations of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. A phylogeny for <italic>Ophiocordyceps</italic> based on a combined multigene (nr<italic>SSU</italic>, nr<italic>LSU, tef-1</italic>α, and <italic>RPB1</italic>) dataset is provided, and its taxonomic status within <italic>Ophiocordycipitaceae</italic> is briefly discussed. Its genome size (~59 Mb) revealed 94% genetic similarity with <italic>O. sinensis</italic>; however, it differs from other extant <italic>Ophiocordyceps</italic> species based on morphological characteristics, molecular phylogenetic relationships, and genetic distance. <italic>O. indica</italic> is identified as the second homothallic species in the family <italic>Ophiocordycipitaceae</italic>, after <italic>O. sinensis</italic>. The presence of targeted marker components, <italic>viz</italic>. nucleosides (2,303.25 μg/g), amino acids (6.15%), mannitol (10.13%), and biological activity data, suggests it to be a new potential source of nutraceutical importance. Data generated around this economically important species will expand our understanding regarding the diversity of <italic>Ophiocordyceps</italic>-like taxa from new locations, thus providing new research avenues.</p>