title: DNA sequence comparisons of Ophiostoma spp., including Ophiostoma aurorae sp. nov., associated with pine bark beetles in South Africa.
abstract: BARK BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: Scolytinae) are well-recognized vectors of Ophiostoma species. Three non-native bark beetle species infest various Pinus species in South Africa, and they are known to carry at least 12 different species of ophiostomatoid fungi. Some of these fungi have not been identified to species level. The aim of this study was to determine or confirm the identities of Ophiostoma species associated with bark beetles in South Africa using comparisons of DNA sequence data. Identities of Ophiostoma ips, O. floccosum, O. pluriannulatum, O. quercus and O. stenoceras were confirmed. Ophiostoma abietinum, O. piliferum and Pesotum fragrans are recognised for the first time and the new species, O. aurorae sp. nov., is described from pine-infesting bark beetles in South Africa.
authors.affiliation: Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP), Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: Xudong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Z Wilhelm
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: de Beer
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wingfield