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

Phylogenetic analysis of partial ribosomal DNA sequences was undertaken to assess the phylogenetic distribution of ophiostomatoid anamorphs with an em phasis on members of Leptographium and the generic limits of Ceratocystis s ensu lato Ell. & Halst. Molecular data identified one group of Ophiostoma s pecies with anamorphs assignable to Pesotum and Leptographium that appears to be monophyletic. This study also showed that, based on molecular charact ers, Pesotum pini (Hutchison & Reid) Okada and all Leptographium strains te sted, 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 separati on of Leptographium from Pesotum, although convenient, is artificial. The p artial ribosomal DNA sequences also confirm that Europhium should be consid ered a synonym of Ophiostoma. The phylogenetic position of species of Cerat ocystis sensu lato with Chalara-like, Knoxdaviesia, and Gabarnaudia anamorp hs is also discussed.