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Invited Article | Open Access

Ophiocordyceps sinensis, the flagship fungus of China: terminology, life strategy and ecology

Yongjie Zhanga,b, Erwei Lia, Chengshu Wangc, Yuling Lid, Xingzhong Liua( )
State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 3 1st Beichen Rd., Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
School of Life Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Xining 810016, China
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Abstract

The Chinese caterpillar fungus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis), is one of the most famous and perhaps the most expensive fungal species in the world. Its biology largely remains a secret, and its commercial cultivation is still a dream. Owing to its medicinal, economic, social and ecological importance, and its limited distribution mainly in China, O. sinensis is herein nominated as the national fungus of China and the fungus of the year (2012) for the journal Mycology. To clarify the confusion, a standard nomenclature is proposed and recommended in this paper for a comprehensive understanding of the terms related to Cordyceps sensu lato and O. sinensis. We also review recent research on the life cycle and distribution of this fungus, parasitism of ghost moths by the fungus, the microbial community of natural Chinese cordyceps and its insect hosts, as well as the secondary metabolites produced by the fungi isolated from natural Chinese cordyceps. By taking advantage of various expertises as well as the government support, we believe that the biological secrets of O. sinensis will be unravelled gradually, and the sustainable development and utilization of this traditional medicine will be fully achieved in the future.

Keywords

ecologycordycepsterminologyOphiocordyceps sinensisChinese cordycepsThe national fungus of ChinaChinese caterpillar funguslife strategy

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Mycology
Volume 3 Issue 1,
March 2012
Pages 2-10
DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2011.654354
Cite this article:
Zhang Y, Li E, Wang C, et al. Ophiocordyceps sinensis, the flagship fungus of China: terminology, life strategy and ecology. Mycology, 2012, 3(1): 2-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/21501203.2011.654354

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Received: 15 December 2011
Revised: 25 December 2011
Published: 02 February 2012
© 2012 Mycological Society of China
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