Seven new species of Graphilbum from conifers in Norway, Poland, and Russia

During surveys of insect-associated mycobiomes in Norway, Poland, and Russia, isolates with affinity to <i>Graphilbum</i> (Ophiostomatales, Ascomycota) were recovered. In this study, eight known <i>Graphilbum</i> species as well as the newly collected isolates were compared based on morphology and DNA sequence data for four gene regions. The results revealed seven new species, described here as <i>G. acuminatum, G. carpaticum, G. curvidentis, G. furuicola, G. gorcense, G. interstitiale</i>, and <i>G. sexdentatum</i>. In addition to these species, <i>G. crescericum</i> and <i>G. sparsum</i> were commonly found in Norway. All new species were recovered from conifers in association with bark beetles, cerambycid beetles, and weevils and were morphologically similar, predominantly with pesotum-like asexual morphs. Where sexual morphs were present, these were small ascomata with short necks and rod-shaped ascospores having hyaline sheaths. The results suggest that <i>Graphilbum</i> species are common members of the Ophiostomatales in conifer ecosystems.