Data from "Integrative taxonomy reveals hidden species within Hesperomyces virescens (Fungi, Laboulbeniales), a parasite of ladybirds (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae)"

[submitted paper]

Abstract: Our understanding of fungal diversity is far from complete. Fungal species descriptions generally focus on the morphological features, but this approach may underestimate species diversity. Using the morphological species concept, Hesperomyces virescens (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniales) is a single species with a characteristic morphology, a global distribution, and a wide host range. Since its description 120 years ago, this fungal parasite has been reported from 30 ladybird hosts on all continents except Antarctica. This broad distribution area and wide host range suggest that H. virescens could be made up of many different species, each adapted to individual host species. Using sequence data from three gene regions, we found evidence for distinct clades within Hesperomyces virescens, each clade corresponding to isolates from a single host species. We propose that these lineages represent separate species, driven by adaptation to different ladybird hosts. Our combined morphometric, molecular phylogenetic and ecological data provide support for a unified species concept and an integrative taxonomy approach.