Three new Leptographium species associated with conifer roots in the United States

Abstract

Leptographium species are most commonly known as anamorphs of Ophiostoma and are usually associated with insects that infest trees. Three new species of Leptographium were isolated from conifer roots in various parts of the United States. These three species differ from described species both morphologically and on the basis of their allozyme banding patterns. Leptographium albopini occurs both in the eastern and western United States on white pine hosts, while Leptographium douglasii occurs commonly in the western United Sates and has been found only on Pseudotsuga menziesii. Leptrographium neomexicanus occurs in the southwestern United States and has thus far only been collected from Pinus ponderosa. Key words : Leptographium albopini, Leptographium douglasii, Leptographium neomexicanus, Pinus, Pseudotsuga, systematics, root infesting insects.