Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae sp nov associated with Platypus koryoensis on oak in Korea

Abstract

A previously undescribed fungus frequently isolated in Korea from dead oak trees (e.g., Quercus mongolica, Q. aliena, Q. serrata) attacked by the ambrosia beetle, Platypus koryoensis, is described as Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences shows the new species to be closely related to R. quercivora, a causal agent of oak mortality in Japan, while ITS rDNA and beta-tubulin sequence analyses reveal significant differences. Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae also differs from R. quercivora in conidial shape, associated ambrosia beetle species, geographic origin, and host range.