On the phylogeny of members of Ceratocystis s.s. and Ophiostoma that possess different anamorphic states, with emphasis on the anamorph genus Leptographium, based on partial ribosomal DNA sequences

Abstract

Phylogenetic analysis of partial ribosomal DNA sequences was undertaken to assess the phylogenetic distribution of ophiostomatoid anamorphs with an emphasis on members of Leptographium and the generic limits of Ceratocystis sensu lato Ell. & Halst. Molecular data identified one group of Ophiostoma species with anamorphs assignable to Pesotum and Leptographium that appears to be monophyletic. This study also showed that, based on molecular characters, Pesotum pini (Hutchison & Reid) Okada and all Leptographium strains tested, including L. terebrantis Barras & Perry, L. lundbergii Lag. & Melin, and L. procerum (Kendr.) Wingf., could be placed among Ophiostoma species. With regard to the anamorphs of Ophiostoma, we determined that the separation of Leptographium from Pesotum, although convenient, is artificial. The partial ribosomal DNA sequences also confirm that Europhium should be considered a synonym of Ophiostoma. The phylogenetic position of species of Ceratocystis sensu lato with Chalara-like, Knoxdaviesia, and Gabarnaudia anamorphs is also discussed.Key words: Ceratocystis, Ophiostoma, Leptographium, partial rDNA sequences, phylogeny.