| Tarichium | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Entomophthoromycota |
| Class: | Entomophthoromycetes |
| Order: | Entomophthorales |
| Genus: | Tarichium Cohn, 1870 [1] [2] |
| Type species | |
| Tarichium megaspermum [3] Cohn, 1870 | |
Tarichium is a genus of fungi within the order Entomophthorales of the Zygomycota. [4] This has been supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis (Gryganskyi et al. 2012). [5]
The fungus Tarichium was originally described in 1870 by German botanist Ferdinand Julius Cohn (1828-1898), when he discovered the fungus Tarichium megaspermum within the infested larvae of the turnip moth ( Agrotis segetum Denis & Schiffermuller). [6] [7] The fungus turns the hosts skin turns black, coal-black pigment is found in the blood, later the caterpillar or larvae becomes wrinkled and brittle-like a mummy. [8] Later after the fungus had killed the insect-host. Inside the host-body, the fungus left a finely granular mass consisting of large amounts of thick-walled spores, [6] which were large and globular dark brown spores that have a wrinkled surface. [8]
The genus was published in 1870 and the name Tarichium was derived from the Latin taricheia which means 'mummification' or 'embalming' combined with the Latin diminutive suffix 'ium' to describe the infected larvae, which end up becoming mummy-like. The genus was then used for members of the Entomophthorales known only (at the time of their collection and description) from their thick-walled resting spores. [7] It was first thought in 1871, that the fungus was a conidial stage of Entomophthora muscae (a fungal parasite that attacks houseflies). [8]
It was later thought that the fungus could be used as a control method on insects attacking crops. [9]
Botanist I. Krassilstschik in Russia in 1886, [10] also discovered the fungus within the larval body of the coleopterous sugar-beet curculio Cleonus punctiventris . He labelled it Tarichium uvella. Although it was later in 1889 by French zoologist Giard revealed it to be a synonym of Soroporella uvella. [3]
There were 32 alleged species (in 1970), assigned mainly on the basis of resting spore morphology. Many of these are not well known because their descriptions have appeared in publications which are difficult to obtain. Also none of the species have been cultured on artificial medium to study fully. [6]
The fungus Tarichium megaspermum had not been re-identified conclusively in the literature since its original description by Cohn in 1870. It was a major cause of disease of the red-backed cutworm in British Columbia, Canada, in 1957 and 1959 and a minor cause of disease of the dark-sided cutworm (Euxoa ochrogaster) in Ontario, Canada, in 1971. Populations of both host species were also infected with the conidial state of a fungus identified as Entomophthora virescens. It is possible that T. megaspermum and E. virescens represent the resting spore and conidial states, respectively, of a single fungus species, Entomophthora megasperma. [11]
In 2012, the genus Tarichium was known for species known only from resting spores apparently represents a mix of species attributable to Neozygitaceae (especially species pathogenic tomites) and Entomophthoraceae. It was suggested that DNA-based studies and morphological re-evaluations should be carried out to confirm if species could be recognized as synonyms of other species or transferred to other genera within the Entomophthoraceae and Neozygitaceae families. [2]
As accepted by Species Fungorum; [12]
Former species; (all are Entomophthoraceae family unless noted) [12]
An entomopathogenic fungus is a fungus that can kill or seriously disable insects.
The Entomophthorales are an order of fungi that were previously classified in the class Zygomycetes. A new subdivision, Entomophthoromycotina, in 2007, was circumscribed for them.
Entomophthora is a fungal genus in the family Entomophthoraceae. Species in this genus are parasitic on flies and other two-winged insects. The genus was circumscribed by German physician Johann Baptist Georg Wolfgang Fresenius (1808-1866) in 1856.
Tipula is a very large insect genus in the fly family Tipulidae. The members of this genus are sometimes collectively called common crane flies. Tipula contains over 2,000 species located throughout the world.
Entomophthora muscae is a species of pathogenic fungus in the order Entomophthorales which causes a fatal disease in flies. It can cause epizootic outbreaks of disease in houseflies and has been investigated as a potential biological control agent.
Euxoa ochrogaster, the red-backed cutworm, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found from Iceland and northern Europe, through the Baltic to the Amur region. In North America, it is found from Alaska to Newfoundland and Labrador, south into the northern part of the United States, south in Rocky Mountains to Arizona and New Mexico.
Entomophaga is a genus of entomopathogenic fungi in the Entomophthoraceae family and also the order Entomophthorales. This has been supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis.
Entomophthoromycota is a division of kingdom fungi. In 2007, it was placed at the taxonomic rank of subphylum in the most recent revision of the entire fungus kingdom. In 2012, it was raised to the rank of phylum as "Entomophthoromycota" in a scientific paper by Richard A. Humber 2012. Divided into three classes and six families, it contains over 250 species that are mostly arthropod pathogens or soil- and litter-borne saprobes.
Pandora is a genus of fungi within the order Entomophthorales of the Zygomycota. This has been supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis.
Zoophthora is a genus of fungi in the family Entomophthoraceae. Like other taxa in this family, Zoophthora species cause disease in insects and as such are considered entomopathogenic fungi.
Erynia is a genus of fungi within the family of Entomophthoraceae and order Entomophthorales of the Zygomycota. This has been supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis.
Arthrophaga myriapodina is a fungus in the Entomophthorales that parasitizes the millipedes Apheloria virginiensis corrugata, Boraria infesta, and Nannaria sp. Infected millipedes typically climb to an elevated spot before death.
Massospora is a genus of fungi in the Entomophthoraceae family, within the order Entomophthorales of the Zygomycota. This has been supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis.
Entomophthoraceae is a family of fungi in the order Entomophthorales. This has been supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis. Most species in the family are obligately entomopathogenic. There are two subfamilies, Erynioideae and Entomophthoroideae, which were proposed in 2005.
Strongwellsea is a genus of fungi within the order Entomophthorales of the Zygomycota. They are known to infect insects. Infected adult dipteran hosts develop a large hole in their abdomens, through which conidia (spores) are then actively discharged while the hosts are still alive.
Furia is a genus of fungi within the family of Entomophthoraceae of the Zygomycota. This has been supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis.
Batkoa is a genus of fungi within the family of Entomophthoraceae and order Entomophthorales of the Zygomycota. This has been supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis.
Eryniopsis is a genus of fungi within the family of Entomophthoraceae and order Entomophthorales of the Zygomycota. This has been supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis.
Meristacrum is a fungal genus in the monotypic family Meristacraceae, of the order Entomophthorales. They are parasites of soil invertebrates, they typically infect nematodes, and tardigrades.