Seven new species ofGraphilbumfrom conifers in Norway, Poland, and Russia

During surveys of insect-associated mycobiomes in Norway, Poland, and Russia, isolates with affinity toGraphilbum(Ophiostomatales, Ascomycota) were recovered. In this study, eight knownGraphilbumspecies 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 asG. acuminatum, G. carpaticum, G. curvidentis, G. furuicola, G. gorcense, G. interstitiale, andG. sexdentatum. In addition to these species,G. crescericumandG. sparsumwere 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 thatGraphilbumspecies are common members of the Ophiostomatales in conifer ecosystems.