Ophiocordyceps subramanianii sensu lato strain 1346 was isolated from a Ponerine worker ant collected in Kukurantumi fetish forest in the Eastern region of Ghana. Fungi of this species complex are entomopathogenic Ascomycetes infecting and manipulating the behavior of Ponerine ants. These species reside within the Order Hypocreales and Family Ophiocordycipitaceae. The genome was sequenced and annotated in collaboration with Charissa de Bekker and David Hughes.
Figure. An ant that was killed by Ophiocordyceps subramanianii s.l..
Ant-infecting Ophiocordyceps genomes reveal a high diversity of potential behavioral manipulation genes and a possible major role for enterotoxins.de Bekker C, Ohm RA, Evans HC, Brachmann A, Hughes DPSci Rep. 2017 Oct; 7(1): 12508. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-12863-w