On the subdivision of Ceratocystis s.l., based on partial ribosomal DNA sequences

Abstract

Analyses of partial rDNA sequences from both the small and large subunit genes of species of Ceratocystis s.l. support the contention that species that lack Chalara anamorphs, are resistant to cycloheximide, and have rhamnose in their cell walls should be assigned to Ophiostoma, whereas only species with Chalara anamorphs should be accommodated in Ceratocystis s.s. The data also show that Ceratocystiopsis is polyphyletic, and Sphaeronaemella fimicola appears to have little relation to either Ceratocystis or Ophiostoma. Key words: Ceratocystis, Ophiostoma, phylogeny, partial rDNA sequences.