Dingley, J.M. 1953: The Hypocreales of New Zealand. V. The genera Cordyceps and Torrubiella. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 81(3): 329-343.
![Fig. 1. Cordyceps novae-zealandiae. Fig. 2. Section through perithecia of C. novae-zealandiae. © Landcare Research. [Image: 9ZL]](https://data.landcareresearch.co.nz/Image/9ZL/SysPortalThumb)
![Fig. 4. C. hauturu. Fig. 5. C. lateritia. Fig. 6. Section through fertile part of the stroma of C. hauturu. Fig. 7a. ascus of C. novae-zealandiae. Fig. 7b. ascus of C. hauturu. © Landcare Research. [Image: 9ZN]](https://data.landcareresearch.co.nz/Image/9ZN/SysPortalThumb)
![Fig. 5. C. lateritia. © Landcare Research. [Image: 9ZO]](https://data.landcareresearch.co.nz/Image/9ZO/SysPortalThumb)
![Fig. 3. section through perithecia of C. lateritia. © All rights reserved. [Image: 9ZM]](https://data.landcareresearch.co.nz/Image/9ZM/SysPortalThumb)
![Fig. 3. T. cordyceps (cord. = Cordyceps robertsii). © All rights reserved. [Image: 9ZP]](https://data.landcareresearch.co.nz/Image/9ZP/SysPortalThumb)
![Fig. 1. Cordyceps novae-zealandiae. Fig. 2. Section through perithecia of C. novae-zealandiae. © Landcare Research. [Image: 9ZL]](https://data.landcareresearch.co.nz/Image/9ZL/SysPortalPreview)
![Fig. 4. C. hauturu. Fig. 5. C. lateritia. Fig. 6. Section through fertile part of the stroma of C. hauturu. Fig. 7a. ascus of C. novae-zealandiae. Fig. 7b. ascus of C. hauturu. © Landcare Research. [Image: 9ZN]](https://data.landcareresearch.co.nz/Image/9ZN/SysPortalPreview)
![Fig. 5. C. lateritia. © Landcare Research. [Image: 9ZO]](https://data.landcareresearch.co.nz/Image/9ZO/SysPortalPreview)
![Fig. 3. section through perithecia of C. lateritia. © All rights reserved. [Image: 9ZM]](https://data.landcareresearch.co.nz/Image/9ZM/SysPortalPreview)
![Fig. 3. T. cordyceps (cord. = Cordyceps robertsii). © All rights reserved. [Image: 9ZP]](https://data.landcareresearch.co.nz/Image/9ZP/SysPortalPreview)
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Dingley, J.M. 1953: The Hypocreales of New Zealand. V. The genera Cordyceps and Torrubiella. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 81(3): 329-343.
Article
Taxonomic concepts
Cordyceps consumpta G. Cunn. (1921)
Cordyceps gunnii (Berk.) Berk. (1859)
Associations
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Descriptions
Endosclerotium retaining outline of host, hyphae hyaline, branched 2-2.5 µ wide, gemmae globose or oval 6-10 x-5-6 µ, thick walled terminal intercalary or lateral, single or in clusters. Stroma 10-15 cm. long, usually single, rarely dichotomously branched arising from cervical region of endoselerotium, stem 8-10 cm. long, 1-1.5 mm. diameter, broader at the base, clothed with fulvous or bay-brown hairs; outer tissue pseudoparenchymatous, walls pigmented and thickened, inner tissue prosenchymatous, hyphae hyaline, thin walled 4-6 µ diameter. Fertile head terminal, swollen 4.5-8 cm. long, 3-5 mm. diameter, vinaceous, punctate with darker coloured protruding ostioles. Perithecia immersed, caespitose, oval or obpyriforrn, 0.2-0.25 x 0.4-0.5 mm. arranged at right angles to the main axis of the stem; perithecial wall 40-50 µ thick, pseudoparenchymatous cells 5-6p. diameter, thin walled, hyaline, lightly pigmented brown. Asci cylindrical, acicular, tapering to an apical cap, 250-350 x 8-12 µ, head globose 4-4.5 x 6 µ, canal distinct, 6-8 spored, spores loosely twisted into a fascicle; pseudoparaphyses evanescent. Spores cylindrical filiform, 150-190 x 1.5-2 µ, rnultiseptate, dividing into part-spores within the ascus, part-spores oblong 4-6 x 1.5-2 µ, hyaline; smooth. Conidial stage unknown.
DISTRIBUTION. New Zealand.
HABITAT. On Lepidoptera larva.
Endosclerotium lineamentrum hospitis sequitur. Hyphis ramosis hyalinis 2-2.5 µ latis, gemmis globosis vel ovalibus, 6-10 x 5-6 µ, parietibus crassus terminalibus, intercalaribus vel lateralibus, solitariis vel in coronis dispositis. Stroma 10-15 cm. longum, plerumque solitarium, e cervice endosclerotii erumpens, stirpe cylindricali fulva, pilosa, paste fertili terminali, 4.5-8 cm. longa, vinacea. Perithecia in texto pseudoparenchymato stromatis immersa, ovalia vel obpyriformia 0.2-0.25 x 0.4-0.5 mm. ad pares angulos ad axem principalem disposita ostiolo papillato, pariete perithecii pseudoparenchymato 40-50 µ crasso hyalino. Asci cylindricales 250-350 x 8-12 µ capitibus globosis vel ovalibus 4-4.5 x 4-6 µ, 6-8 sporis, pseudoparaphysibus evanescentibus. Sporae cylindricales filiformes multiseptatae 115-190 x 1.5-2 µ, in sporas divisas in asco se dividentes. Sporae divisae 4-6 x 1.5-2 µ, hyalinae leves. Status conidialis ignotus.
A distinct species differing from C. robertsii in that perithecia are immersed in the tissues of the stroma; part-spores are smaller and the hyphae within the endoselerotium are coarser (2.5 µ) than in C. robertsii. No material of C. lacroixii Har. et. Pat. has been examined, but from the descriptions this species appears similar. Lloyd (1915) listed C. lacroixii as a synonym of C. gunnii but perithecia are arranged at right angles to the. main axis, while in C. gunnii the perithecial necks are curved.
Auckland: Little Barrier Island, October 1945, J.M.D. (Type Coll.) (10676); Auckland, W.Cottier ? (10677).
Wellington: Stephen Island, January 1922, H.B.Kirk (10607) Type Coll.
Endosclerotium retaining form of the host, hyphae 1-3 µ diameter, gemmae intercalary or terminal, globose 3-5 µ diameter, single or in groups of two or three. Stromata numerous, protruding from the intersegmental membrane 2-5 mm. long, 0.5-1 min. thick, often flattened, prosenchymatous, hyphae hyaline 2 µ diameter, with terminal globose heads up to 2 mm. diameter, tuberculate, with superficial perithecia, vinaceous brown when dry. Perithecia caespitose, united at the base, oval or obpyriform 150-200 x 450-600 µ, ostiole papillate; perithecial wall 20-50 µ thick, prosenchymatous, outer cells 8-10 µ diameter. Cell wall lightly thickened and pigmented, inner cells 2-5 µ diameter, hyaline, thin walled. Asci cylindrical 180-320 x 5-7 µ, apical cap globose 2.5-3.5 µ diameter, divided by delicate canal, eight-spored, spores arranged in fascicles in ascus. Spores acicular, filiform 120-150 x 1-1.5 µ, multiseptate, part-spores 3.5-6 x 1 µ. Conidial stage: Conidia elliptical or oval 3-6 x 1-1.5 µ, hyaline, catenulated, from phialides arranged as a superficial layer of the immature fertile stroma.
DISTRIBUTION. Stephen Island, New Zealand.
HABITAT. On adult Deinacrida rugosa Buller.
C. kirkii appears similar to a collection in the herbarium of the Commonwealth Mycological Institute (I.M.I. 27419) from Trinidad named by Mr. E.W.Mason as C. joaquensis P.Henn. The latter parasitises Gryllotalpus sp. an allied genus to Deinacrida. No type material was available for examination: C. kirkii is retained as a separate species.
Endosclerotium retaining form of host, lateritius, hyphae under 1 mm. diameter, gemmae absent. Stroma up to 5 mm. long, 0.5-1 mm. thick, irregularly arranged in endosclerotium, sometimes light coloured and byssoid; fertile pads lateral or terminal, or on flattened areas of stroma. Perithecia ochraceous, translucent, obpyriform 0.2-0.25 x 0.5 mm. superficial or semi-immersed in stroma, ostiole papillate; perithecial wall pseudoparenchymatous 20 µ thick, cells 2-3.5 µ diameter, cell wall hyaline or lightly pigmented. Asci cylindrical, linear, 120-220 x 2-3 µ, thin-walled, cap globose 0.5-1.5 µ with distinct canal, six to eight spored, spores twisted in fascicle in ascus; pseudoparaphyses evanescent. Spores multi-septate, as long as ascus, part-spores 0.5-l µ diameter. Conidial stage unknown.
DISTRIBUTION. New Zealand.
HABITAT. On Coleoptera pupa.
Endosclerotium lineamenta hospitis sequitur, lateritium, hyphis sub 1 mm. diam., gemmis absentibus. Stroma ad 5 mm. longum, 0.5-1 mm. crassum, in endoselerotio inaequaliter ordinatum, partibus fertilibus, lateralibus vel terminalibus in planis stromatis. Perithecia ochracea, translucentia, obpyriformia, 0.2-0.25 x 0.5 mm. in superficie vel in stromate immersa, ostiolo papillato, pariete perithecii pseudoparenchymato, 20 µ crasso, cellulis 2-3.5 µ diam., parietibus cellularum hyalinis vel leviter tinctis. Asci cylindricales 120-220 x 2-3 µ parietibus tenuibus, capite globoso 0.5-1.5 µ, in sulco longitudine se dividenti, 6-8 sporis, pseudoparaphysibus evanescentibus. Sporae filiformes, multiseptatae, aeque longae atque asci. Sporae divisae 0.5-1 µ diam.
The species has been described from a single specimen. It appears similar to C. novae-zealandiae on Coelostomidea sp. but differs in that perithecia are more slender and the ostiole is swollen and papillate. From other species on Coleoptera it is separated by perithecia being superficially arranged on a loosely aggregated stroma.
Auckland: Waitakere Ra., Swanson, July 1949 (11717) Type coll.
Auckland: Hunua Ra., Kohukohunui Ridge, 1,300 feet, November 1943, J.M.D. (10675); Titirangi, March 1946, J.M.D. (10671); Papatoetoe, August 1947, J.M.D. (10673); Waitakere Ra., Waiatarua, November 1948, J.M.D. (10672). Otago : Hollyford Valley, January 1950, J.M.D. (10674) Type coll.
Endosclerotium retaining form of host, ferrugineus, often covered with ochraceous, byssoid mycelium, hyphae 1.5-2 µ diameter, gemmae globose 4-8 µ diameter, axillary terminal or intercalary. Stromata prosenchymatous, hyphae lightly pigmented 2-5 µ thick, arising irregularily from endosclerotium, usually stalked, branched, often anastomosing, up to 5 mm. high, terminating with a globose head of perithecia, 2 mm. diameter; sometimes stromata sessile and effuse on endosclerotium. Perithecia gregarious, superficial, obpyriform 0.35-0.4 x 0.5-0.6 mm., translucent, ochraceous, ostiole papillate; perithecial wall 40-50 µ thick, pseudoparenchymatous, cells 3-6 x 4-5 µ, subhymenial layer prosenchymatous, hyphae difluent. Asci cylindrical, linear, 250-340 x 3-5 µ, apical cap globose, 3-5 µ diameter, with distinct canal, eight spored, spores loosely twisted in fascicle. Spores linear, filiform, 250-300 x 0.5-1 µ, multiseptate, dividing into part-spores within ascus; part-spores 1.5-3 x 0.5-1 µ, hyaline. Conidial stage: Conidia oval or globose 4-6 µ x 2-5 µ hyaline, smooth, catenulated from phialides 10-12 µ long; phialides borne in terminal clusters on aerial mycelium on endosclerotium - Hymenostilbe sp.
DISTRIBUTION. New Zealand.
HABITAT. On adult of Coelostomidea sp.
Endosclerotium lineamenta hospitis sequitur. Hyphis 2 µ diam., ramosis ochraceis, gemmis globosis 4-8 µ diam., axillaribus, terminalibus vel intercalaribus. Stromata plerumque stipitibus, ramosa, ad 5 mm. longa, capitibus fertilibus terminalibus ad 2 mm. diam., sed interdum in endosclerotium effusa. Perithecia superficialia, obpyriform, 0.35-0.4 x 0.5-0.6 mm. pariete perithecii 40-50 µ crasso, pseudoparenchymato ostiolo papillato. Asci cylindricales, lineares 250-340 x 3.0-5.0 µ, capitibus globosis 3-5 µ diam., 8 sporis. Sporae lineares 250-300 x 0.5-1 µ multiseptatae, in sporas divisas in asco se dividentes. Sporae divisae 1.5-3 x 0.5-1 µ. Statu in conidiali phialidibus in endosclerotio in coronis terminalibus aggregatis, 10-12 µ longis conidiis ovalibus vel globosis 4-6 x 3-5 µ, hyalinis - Hymenostilbe sp.
Commonly perithecia are produced on an effuse stroma on the endosclerotium, although in the type they are formed on a compact globose head. The host genus is endemic to New Zealand.
Otago: Hollyford Valley, January 1950, J.M.D. (10674) Type coll.
Auckland: Huia, June 1949, J.M.D. (10938); February, 1951, K.Wood (10597); Laingholm, December 1930, M.Hodgkins (10600); Little Barrier Is., October 1945, J.M.D. (4440); Orere, February 1953, J.M.D. (11891.). Taranaki: Mt. Egmont, November 1924, J.C.Neill (1795); November 1927, G.H.Cunningham (3280); March 1951, J.M.D. (10598). Wellington: Raurimu, January 1920, E.H.Atkinson (191). Collections examined in the herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Sphaeria robertsii C. neglecta Massee, Colensi, N.Z. Sph. robertsii Colenso 1321. Sph.. robertsii Hook. Mr. Stephens. Sph. robertsii Hook. - hugelii Cke. N.Z. (ex Herb. Hook). Cordyceps robertsii Hook., Dr. Berggren, 1879 N.Z. ; Sph. robertsii on Hepialus virescens, F.Moore, 1864 (ex Herb. Currey).
Endoselerotiuin retaining form of host, hyphae 3-5 µ diameter; branched, gemmae globose or oval, 5-6 µ diameter, terminal, intercalary or lateral, single or in clusters. Stroma 10-18 cm. long, usually single, rarely dichotomously branched, arising from cervical region of endosclerotium; stem 10-15 µ [sic; should be "cm."] long, 1.5-2 mm. diameter, bay brown, clothed with chestnut hairs at the base, pseudoparenchymatous or prosenchymatous, inner mycelium often disintegrating, then stem hollow, outer tissue pseudoparenchymatous, cells 5-8 µ diameter, thick-walled, pigmented brown. Fertile head more or less terminal 5-10 cm. long, apical tip sterile. Perithecia discrete but caespitose, arranged at right angles to the main axis, oval or cuneate 0.4-0.5 x 0.6-0.75 mm.; perithecial wall 20-50 µ thick, showing greatest development around ostiolum, cells 4-10 x 4-6 µ, pigmented and thickened. Asci linear, cylindrical, sometimes acicular 250-420 x 10-14 µ, head globose or broadly oval 5-5.5 x 4.0 µ; canal narrow, 4-8 spored, spores loosely twisted in a fascicle; pseudoparaphyses diffluent. Spores filiform, acicular, multiseptate, 250-380 x 1.5-2 µ, part-spores 6-12 x 1-1.5 µ, rectangular, hyaline, smooth. Conidial stage unknown.
DISTRIBUTION. New Zealand.
HABITAT. On larva of Oxycanus sp. (Lepidoptera).
The species is common in the North Island of New Zealand. Perithecia are free, cuneate and lighter coloured than the stalk. A small sterile apiculate tip is always present.
In the herbarium of the Commonwealth Mycological Institute there is a specimen ex herb. Sydow from Chile (ex P.A.Hollenmeyer No. 1765) labelled C. robertsii; this superficially resembles New Zealand material but perithecia and asci are smaller.
Kobayasi (1941) listed the species as C. larvarum Westwood. Westwood (1836) did not publish this combination, but merely stated that "he believed that a Clavaria sp. parasitised the caterpillar" and in a footnote added that this species was described by Sir W.Hooker in Icones Plantarum as Clavaria lavarum. Hooker, however, described and illustrated this species as Sphaeria robertsii. Berkeley mentions the name Sphaeria forbesii when quoting a letter from J.E.Gray, but did not append a description. No material is filed under C. hugelii in the herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, but in the folder of Cordyceps robertsii there is a collection labelled Sph. robertsii Hook. - hugelii Cke., N.Z. This collection, and Corda's illustration and description. are comparable with Cordyceps robertsii. Massee (1895) described a form which differs from the type in that perithecia are flask-shaped and with a long slender neck; he named this variety C. hugelii var. neglecta Massee. At Kew no collection is filed under this name, but there is one labelled "Sphaeria robertsii - ? Cordyceps neglecta Massee, N.Z., Colenso. This is a typical specimen of Cordyceps robertsii parasitised by a species of Torrubiella and is presumably the type of Massee's variety. Kobayasi (1941) listed this form as C. larvarum (Westwood) Olliff var. neglecta (Massee) Kobayasi and described it as a synonym of C. robertsii (Hook.) Gray var. neglecta Massee.
Myers in Cunningham (1921) stated that "practically all the earlier naturalists accepted without question the current belief that the host of this species was Hepialus virescens Dbd. as it was the only larva large enough to coincide with the vegetable caterpillar . . . Hudson was the first to point out the improbability of the arboreal Hepialus as a host seeing that the infected larva was invariably found underground . . . . " Later Myers stated that it was probable that the usual host of C. robertsii is Porina (Oxycanus) dinodes Myers in the South Island and P. (Oxycanus) enysii Buller in the North. Parasitised larva of Hepialus virescens have been collected, but unfortunately the fertile portions of the stroma are missing. The vegetative parts and the conidial form suggests that it. may be a different species. In Kew herbarium all specimens are parasitic on typical larva of Oxycanus sp. although in many cases they were labelled Hepialus virescens.
Cordyceps robertsii Hook. Auckland: Huia, June 1949, J.M.D. (10938). Taranaki: Mt. Egmont, November 1927, G.H.Cunningham (10939). Cordyceps hauturu Dingley. Auckland: W.Cottier (10677).
Stroma byssoid, superficial, forming irregular areas up to 5 mm. diameter on fertile parts of stroma of host; hyphae thin-walled, hyaline 1-2 µ thick. Perithecia superficial, caespitose, in groups of two to five, obpyriform or ovate, 0.3-0.4 x 0.5-0.65 mm., honey coloured, translucent, ostiole papillated; perithecial wall 40-50 µ thick, pseudoparenchymatous, cells 5-10 µ diameter, hyaline thin-walled. Asci cylindrical, linear 200-350 x 4-5.5 µ, tapering to a globose hyaline cap, 2-3 µ diameter, divided by filamentous longitudinal canal, eight-spored, spores loosely twisted into fascicle within ascus. Spores linear, acicular, 180-250 x 1-1.5 µ, multiseptate, dividing into part-spores within the ascus, part-spores almost cuboid 1.5-3 x 1-1.5 µ, hyaline.
Conidial stage: Conidia, sub-globose, 2 µ diameter, hyaline, budding off from tips of pyriform phialides, arranged in fascicles among the superficial mycelium. Isaria sp.
Conidial stage: Conidia, sub-globose, 2 µ diameter, hyaline, budding off from tips of pyriform phialides, arranged in fascicles among the superficial mycelium. Isaria sp.
DISTRIBUTION. New Zealand.
>HABITAT. On Cordyceps sp.
Petch (1923) described Byssostilbe tomentosa on Cordyceps dipterigena Berk. and Br. When he discussed this species he stated that this genus is identical with Torrubiella except for the spores which are cuboid and become rounded when mature. He noted that in B. tomentosa the rounded part-spores have not been seen. This species appears to be similar to Torrubiella cordyceps. Lloyd (1917) named and inadequately described this species from material forwarded to him by H.Hill, Napier. C. robertsii Hook. var. neglecta Massee is based on a specimen of Cordyceps robertsii parasitised by this fungus.
Identification keys
Clavicipitaceae genera
Cordyceps species
Torrubiella species
Cited scientific names
- Cordyceps aemonae Lloyd 1920
- Cordyceps consumpta G. Cunn. 1921
- Cordyceps craigii Lloyd 1915
- Cordyceps dovei Rodway 1900
- Cordyceps gunnii (Berk.) Berk. 1859
- Cordyceps hauturu Dingley 1953
- Cordyceps hillii Lloyd 1921
- Cordyceps kirkii G. Cunn. 1922
- Cordyceps lateritia Dingley 1953
- Cordyceps novae-zealandiae Dingley 1953
- Cordyceps robertsii (Hook.) Berk. 1855
- Cordyceps sinclairii Berk. 1855
- Cordyceps tuberculata (Lebert) Maire 1917
- Isaria sinclairii (Berk.) Lloyd 1923
- Lepidoptera
- Torrubiella cordyceps Dingley 1953
- Torrubiella gibellulae Petch
- Torrubiella luteorostrata Zimm. 1901
- Torrubiella luteostrata sensu Dingley 1953
- Torrubiella tomentosa Pat.
Metadata
1cb0e348-36b9-11d5-9548-00d0592d548c
reference
Names_Fungi
2 March 2004
