Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal three new species of Gibellula (Cordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) from spiders

The genus Gibellula (Cordycipitaceae) comprises spider-pathogenic fungi. Three new species, G. pseudopigmentosa , G. pseudosolita , and G. sinensis , were discovered on spiders in the leaf litter of forests in Yunnan and Jilin provinces, China, and in Vientiane Prefecture and Oudomxay Province, Laos. Morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (based on nrSSU, ITS, nrLSU, tef-1α , rpb 1, and rpb 2) support their recognition as distinct taxa. Gibellula pseudopigmentosa is distinguished from its sister species, G. pigmentosinum , by smaller perithecia and shorter ascospores. Gibellula pseudosolita differs from its close relatives by producing multiple synnemata per host and possessing smaller conidia. Gibellula sinensis is characterized by shorter conidiophores and smaller conidial heads compared with morphologically similar species. This study presents the first formal record of Gibellula from Laos, significantly expanding the known distribution of the genus in Southeast Asia and contributing to our understanding of its diversity.