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| Gibellula attenboroughii, habitat and paratype, on Meta menardi. Evans, Fogg, Buddie, Yeap, & Araújo, 2025 |
Abstract
The genus Gibellula (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) comprises species pathogenic on and specific to spider hosts. Here, we report on the occurrence of a novel species infecting cave-dwelling, orb-weaving spiders of the sub-family Metainae (Tetragnathidae) in the British Isles. The new species, Gibellula attenboroughii is described and illustrated and its ecology is discussed; leading to the conclusion that infected spiders exhibit behavioural changes similar to those reported for zombie ants. The hidden diversity of the genus Gibellula in the British Isles is further highlighted based on fungarium records and literature searches. Two spider pathogens, previously assigned to the genus Torrubiella, are now transferred to the genus Gibellula, based on their Granulomanus synasexual morphs, in accordance with the one fungus-one name initiative: Gibellula albolanata comb. nov. and G. aranicida comb. nov.
Keywords: Gibellula attenboroughii; entomopathogenic fungi; host manipulation; new taxa; systematics
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| Gibellula attenboroughii, habitat and paratype IMI 507598, on Meta menardi. A. Whitefathers’ Caves, showing the dark zone above the River Barran, County Cavan, Republic of Ireland. B. Entrance and twilight zone. C. Infected spider in situ, on cave ceiling, showing early infection with immature synnemata on compact, white subiculum, the specimen was found immediately above the figure in the centre. D. Dried specimen, showing creamish-yellow subiculum covering ventral abdomen. Scale bars: C = 0.5 mm; D = 0.25 mm. |
Evans, H.C.; Fogg, T.; Buddie, A.G.; Yeap, Y.T. and Araújo, J.P.M. 2025. The araneopathogenic genus Gibellula (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) in the British Isles, including A New Zombie Species on Orb-weaving Cave Spiders (Metainae: Tetragnathidae). Fungal Systematics and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.3114/fuse.2025.15.07
