What is the Chinese caterpillar fungusOphiocordyceps sinensis(Ophiocordycipitaceae)?

Abstract

Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a well-known insect fungus, naturally distributed in the Tibetan Plateau of Asia. It has been long known by its synonym Cordyceps sinensis both in scientific and non-scientific communities but was recently transferred to Ophiocordyceps. Over the last 300 years, the morphological characters of this taxon have been studied by different professionals and experts, such as religious persons, travelers, entomologists, pharmacologists and mycologists. Morphological descriptions of mature O. sinensis stroma based on recent studies are compared in this study with those of the type specimens of Berkeley (Lond J Bot. 2:205-211;1843). A literature review indicates that the specimens of Berkeley (1843) are immature. New names have been proposed for O. sinensis-like species from alpine regions, such as O. gansuënsis, O. crassispora, O. kangdingensis, O. multiaxialis and O. nepalensis, and it is not obvious how these differ from O. sinensis. Epitypification and revision of O. sinensis is, therefore, essential to resolve the taxonomic ambiguity of O. sinensis and related species.

Current nomenclatural changes inCordyceps sensu latoand its multidisciplinary impacts

“…G.H. Sung et al was made with Cordyceps sinensis as its synonym (Sung et al 2007; Shrestha et al 2010). …”

Cordyceps industry in China

“…The Chinese cordyceps is endemic to the Tibetan Plateau from above 3000 m altitude up to the snow line (Wang 1995; Jiang and Yao 2002), including the south-western regions of China (the Tibet Autonomous Region and Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan and Gansu provinces) and to some countries of the Himalayan south slope (Nepal, Bhutan and north-east India) (Shrestha et al 2010). According to recent estimates, China accounts for more than 90% of its known production areas (Winkler 2008) and more than 95% of its annual yield (Winkler 2010).…”

Diversity of Cordyceps Fungi in Nepal

“…Distribution: Japan (Patouillard 1887), New Guinea (Sydow 1922), China (Teng 1934), Congo (Moureau 1949), Korea (Lim & Kim 1973), Russia (Koval 1974) and Nepal (Otani 1982, Shrestha 1985, Tanda & Nagase 1994, Shrestha & Sung 2005 (Shrestha et al 2010). Many recent authors have opined that they are not distinct species; rather they are conspecific with O. sinensis and can be treated as its subspecies or forms or clades (Shrestha et al 2010).…”

“…), popularly known as Yarsagumba in Nepal, is one of the most regarded medicinal fungi. Atreya Samhita has mentioned it as Bhu-Sanjibani that cures severe and incurable kidney and syphilis diseases (Shrestha 2010b,c, 2011, Shrestha et al 2010. Chinese literatures have also mentioned different medicinal values of O. sinensis since last two thousand years and have officially included it in Chinese pharmacopeia (Jones 1997, Zhu et al 1998, Halpern 1999, Mizuno 1999, Li & Tsim 2004, Holliday et al 2005, Li et al 2006, Winkler 2008.…”

“…It is popularly known as an aphrodisiac herb in folk herbal medicine in Nepal (Sacherer 1979, Bhattarai 1993. O. sinensis is naturally distributed in the northern alpine grasslands of Nepal, Bhutan and India and in Tibetan Plateau of China, ranging from 3000 to 5000 m above sea level (Balfour-Browne 1955, DMP 1970, Sacherer 1979, Kobayasi 1980, 1981, Otani 1982, Shrestha 1985, Adhikari & Durrieu 1996, DPR 1997, Chen et al 1999, 2004, Mizuno 1999, Adhikari 2000, Kinjo & Zang 2001, Liu et al 2001, Winkler 2004,2010, Chhetri 2005, Holliday et al 2005, Shrestha & Sung 2005, Canney 2006, Devkota 2006, 2008a,b, 2009, Li et al 2006, Halpern 2007, Amatya 2008, Chhetri & Lodhiyal 2008, Shrestha et al 2010, Singh et al 2010, Weckerle et al 2010 Morphological characters: Stromata solitary or branched, light to dark brown, arising from the thorax of the host, 55~75 × 1.5~2.5 mm; head slightly wider than the stipe; perithecia semi-immersed, ellipsoid, ovoid or oval.…”