In: Sydowia 71, (2019): 0103-0113, ISSN 0082-0598, DOI 10.12905/0380.sydowia71-2019-0103, Published online on June 6, 2019

Polyandromyces coptosomatis (Dimorphomycetaceae, Laboulbeniales): new records, distribution patterns and host–parasite interactions in Brazil

Marília Pereira Rodrigues de Melo & Roger Fagner Ribeiro Melo

Melo M.P.R. & Melo R.F.R. (2019) Polyandromyces coptosomatis (Dimorphomycetaceae, Laboulbeniales): new records, distribution patterns and host–parasite interactions in Brazil. – Sydowia 71: 103–113.

An obligate parasitic fungus, Polyandromyces coptosomatis, is reported for the first time from Brazil, as a recurrent and persistent infection on the true bug Antiteuchus tripterus. Antiteuchus tripterus is for the first time reported as host for P. coptosomatis. Insect specimens were collected on Bauhinia forficata, the Brazilian orchid tree (Fabaceae). Most analyzed insects were infected by the fungus (74 %). The morphology of both female and male thalli is described in detail based on more than 100 examined specimens. In addition, we reveal and describe recurrent aberrant forms. Most thalli were found on male hosts, without any evidence for position specificity, whereas female insects were more intensely parasitized on their genitalia and dorsum. Differences between host sex and infected body parts are presented and discussed. A review on the world occurrences of this species thus far suggests that the records on Pentatomidae and Plataspidae hosts do to not overlap, and that their potential distribution might follow a similar pattern.

Keywords: Ascomycota, fungal-insect association, Hemiptera, Peyritschielloideae