![Sample our Bioscience journals, sign in here to start your access, Latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5925/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Bioscience.jpg"})
Abstract
The anamorph genus Metarhizium is composed of arthropod pathogens, several with broad geographic and host ranges. Members of the genus, including ‘‘M. anisopliae var. frigidum’’ nomen nudum and Metarhizium flavoviride, have been used as biological insecticides. In a recent revision of the genus the variety ‘‘M. anisopliae var. frigidum’’ was suggested to be a synonym of M. flavoviride based largely on ITS sequence phylogenetic analysis. In this study we conducted morphological evaluations and multigene phylogenetic analyses with EF-1α, RPB1 and RPB2 for strains of M. flavoviride and ‘‘M. anisopliae var. frigidum.’’ Included in these evaluations were the ex-type of M. flavoviride var. flavoviride and what likely would be considered the ‘‘ex-type’ of the invalidly published taxon ‘‘M. anisopliae var. frigidum’’. Based on morphological and molecular evidence we conclude that ‘‘M. anisopliae var. frigidum’’ is distinct from M. flavoviride and the taxon M. frigidum sp. nov. is described.
The authors thank Dr Richard Milner for providing isolates. We greatly appreciate the comments and suggestions of Dr David Geiser and the anonymous reviewers. In addition we are thankful for the lab work of Ellen Buckley in helping to develop the data for this study.
The use of trade, firm or corporation names in thisPUBLICation is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the United States Department of Agriculture or the Agricultural Research Service of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.