A PCR-RFLP marker distinguishing Ophiostoma clavigerum from morphologically similar Leptographium species associated with bark beetles

Ophiostoma clavigerum, carried by Dendroctonus ponderosae and Dendroctonus jeffreyi, has morphological characteristics that are similar to other Ophiostoma and Leptographium species. The partial β-tubulin gene of 45 strains belonging to seven species was amplified by PCR and digested by the restriction enzyme HinfI. The specific restriction fragment length polymorphism obtained for O. clavigerum provided the means for its reliable identification. We are also reporting that O. clavigerum ascocarps have short necks; this fact has not been shown previously.