Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with conifer-infesting bark beetles in China

Abstract

Ophiostomatoid fungi are causal agents of blue stain in wood and are commonly associated with bark beetles and their phoretic mites. Some ophiostomatoid species are tree pathogens and together with their beetle vectors they can dramatically change forest structures. Although the majority of these fungi are not pathogens, they may reduce the value of timber because of the stain they cause. More than 350 ophiostomatoid species have been described globally, of which 48 have been reported from China. China has in excess of 2 million km2 of forests, accounting for 22% of the country’s surface area. These forests harbour over 2800 tree species. The main hypothesis of this thesis was that Chinese forests harbour many as yet undescribed species of ophiostomatoid fungi. The aim was thus to explore and characterize the diversity of these fungi in China, focusing on conifer-infesting bark beetle ecosystems in four provinces.