Complete mitochondrial genome revealed different taxonomic assignment of the fungus Pleurocordyceps sinensis (Hypocreales, Ascomycota)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of Pleurocordyceps sinensis, a fungus originally isolated from Ophiocordyceps sinensis was sequenced, and assembled as a single circular DNA of 31,841 bp. The mt genome encoded 15 conserved proteins (rps3, cox1, cox2, cox3, cob, atp6, atp8, atp9, nad1, nad2, nad3, nad4, nad4L, nad5 and nad6), 2 rRNA (rnl and rns) and 25 tRNA, as well as 10 additional non-conserved open reading frames. Comparative analyses showed that mt genomes within the order Hypocreales encoded same number and synteny of conserved protein coding genes despite an obvious size variation among this group of fungi. Phylogenetic analyses using 14 conserved protein sequences revealed that this fungus may not belong to the current designated family Ophiocordycipitaceae but is more closely related to the species of Clavicipitaceae. The mt genome presented herein would aid to clarify the phylogenetic position of species of Polycephalomyces s. l. and also gave valuable information on reconstructing the evolutionary history of clavicipitaceous fungi.