Checklist do Ophiocordyceps (Hypocreales, Ascomycota) para o Brasil

Abstract

The type genus of the Ophiocordycipitaceae family, Ophiocordyceps is an entomopathogen vast in its species and widely distributed throughout the world. It develops in various orders of insects, where it is probably important in controlling populations. Some representatives of the group are used in the biological control of agricultural pests, and others in the formation of medicines, thus having varied uses and prominent importance. Records of its occurrence are known in several Brazilian states, however, without an organization of information, and being aware of the high biodiversity promoted by the different phytogeographical domains of Brazilian regions, the expectation for the number of species in the group is equally high. Knowing this, the objective of the work is to systematize publications about records of the genre in Brazilian territory. In this way, the study summarizes data from studies published in the last 180 years and forms a practical list of species. The total obtained was 56 species, of which 36 were endemic. The occurrences were reported in 15 states, covering all Brazilian regions, where the greatest diversity was found in the North, and then in the South, so that the largest number of records was in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes, while for the Central-West and Northeast, the numbers were the lowest. Such results can be explained by the lack of mycological studies in these regions, indicating a need for new inventories to clarify the richness of this fungus. Another influencing factor may be its ecology, as its records worldwide are mainly in tropical forests. The work highlights the diversity of Ophiocordyceps species in Brazil, revealed as high in endemism, and suggests an expansion of knowledge about this genus, through new research, for a better understanding of biodiversity, and for the formation of conservation strategies.