Seven new species of Graphilbum from conifers in Norway, Poland, and Russia

ABSTRACT

During surveys of insect-associated mycobiomes in Norway, Poland, and Russia, isolates with affinity to Graphilbum (Ophiostomatales, Ascomycota) were recovered. In this study, eight known Graphilbum species as well as the newly collected isolates were compared based on morphology and DNA sequence data for four gene regions. The results revealed seven new species, described here as G. acuminatum, G. carpaticum, G. curvidentis, G. furuicola, G. gorcense, G. interstitiale, and G. sexdentatum. In addition to these species, G. crescericum and G. sparsum were commonly found in Norway. All new species were recovered from conifers in association with bark beetles, cerambycid beetles, and weevils and were morphologically similar, predominantly with pesotum-like asexual morphs. Where sexual morphs were present, these were small ascomata with short necks and rod-shaped ascospores having hyaline sheaths. The results suggest that Graphilbum species are common members of the Ophiostomatales in conifer ecosystems.

KEYWORDS:

• Ectosymbionts
• Ophiostomatales
• Pinaceae
• subcortical beetles
• 7 new taxa

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was part of two MSc theses at Norwegian University of Life Sciences (R.A.L. and M.E.W.). Terje B Dahl, Torstein Kvamme, G. Kvammen, Ruben A. Lindseth, Anne E. Nielsen, Tor H. Sundt, Max E. Waalberg, and Gro Wollebaek participated in beetle sampling and/or laboratory work. T.K. helped with the identification of bark beetles.

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Funding

This research was financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland. In Norway, this project was financed by the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre and Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy.