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Abstract
Ophiostoma galeiforme was described first in 1951 from Larix kaempferi in Scotland, where it was found to be associated with the bark beetles Hy-lurgops palliatus, Dryocoetes autographus, and the ambrosia beetle Trypodendron lineatum. The taxonomy of this fungus has been uncertain because of a lack of sexual structures on the type specimen and contamination of a preserved ex-type culture. The aim of this study was to clarify application of the species name, O. galeiforme, by designating an epitype and to consider phylogenetic relationships of the species. Nineteen isolates resembling O. galeiforme from different parts of the world were used, including collections from Pinus sylvestris infested with Tomicus pi-niperda in Scotland and the contaminated ex-type culture. Morphological characteristics of isolates from Sweden, South Africa, Scotland, Chile and Aus-tria corresponded well with those originally described for O. galeiforme, and an isolate from Scotland is designated as the epitype. A detailed description is provided. Results of interfertility tests showed that O. galeiforme is heterothallic. Analysis of ITS rDNA sequences showed that the isolates representing O. galeiforme were distinct from three morphologically similar isolates from the USA and Mexico, which probably represent an undescribed taxon.
We thank the National Research Foundation (NRF) and members of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) and the THRIP initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry, South Africa, for financial support. We also thank Dr Derek Redfern of the Forestry Commission, UK, for making it possible for MJ Wingfield and T Kirisits to collect isolates of O. galeiforme from Scotland.
