Ophiocordyceps kimflemingae

Organism description

Ophiocordyceps kimflemingae strain SC16a (previously known as Ophiocordyceps unilateralis) was isolated from a Camponotus castaneus worker ant collected in Donalds, South Carolina, USA. Fungi of this species complex are entomopathogenic Ascomycetes infecting and manipulating the behavior of Carpenter ants. These species reside within the Order Hypocreales and Family Ophiocordycipitaceae.

The genome of O. kimflemingae was sequenced and annotated in collaboration with Charissa de Bekker and David Hughes.

Figure. An ant that was killed by O. kimflemingae. A fruiting structure emerges from the ant’s head, producing sexual spores.

Reference

Please cite this paper when using data from this genome:

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 DP
Sci Rep. 2017 Oct; 7(1): 12508. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-12863-w

Fungal Genomics