Ophiostoma species (Ascomycetes: Ophiostomatales) associated with bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) colonizing Pinus radiata in northern Spain.

BARK beetles; FUNGI; OPHIOSTOMA; CERATOCYSTIS; BEETLES; PINUS radiata; ANIMAL species; ANIMAL culture

Bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) are known to be associated with fungi, especially species of Ophiostoma sensu lato and Ceratocystis. However, very little is known about these fungi in Spain. In this study, we examined the fungi associated with 13 bark beetle species and one weevil (Coleoptera: Entiminae) infesting Pinus radiata in the Basque Country of northern Spain. This study included an examination of 1323 bark beetles or their galleries in P. radiata. Isolations yielded a total of 920 cultures, which included 16 species of Ophiostoma sensu lato or their asexual states. These 16 species included 69 associations between fungi and bark beetles and weevils that have not previously been recorded. The most commonly encountered fungal associates of the bark beetles were Ophiostoma ips, Leptographium guttulatum, Ophiostoma stenoceras, and Ophiostoma piceae. In most cases, the niche of colonization had a significant effect on the abundance and composition of colonizing fungi. This confirms that resource overlap between species is reduced by partial spatial segregation. Interaction between niche and time seldom had a significant effect, which suggests that spatial colonization patterns are rarely flexible throughout timber degradation. The differences in common associates among the bark beetle species could be linked to the different niches that these beetles occupy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Les scolytes (Coleoptera : Scolytinae) sont des insectes ravageurs associés aux champignons, spécialement aux espèces Ophiostoma sensu lato et Ceratocystis. Cependant, on sait peu de choses sur ces champignons en Espagne. Dans cette étude, nous avons examiné les champignons associés à 13 espèces de scolytes et une espèce d’entiminae infestant le pin de Monterey (Pinus radiata) au Pays Basque au nord de l’Espagne. Cette étude comprenait l’examen de 1323 scolytes ou de leurs galeries, trouvés chez P. radiata. Les isolements ont résulté en un total de 920 cultures qui incluaient 16 espèces d’Ophiostoma sensu lato ou de leurs formes asexuées. Ceci incluait 69 associations entre des champignons et des scolytes jamais encore répertoriées. L’association fongique la plus fréquente impliquait les scolytes et Ophiostoma ips, Leptographium guttulatum, Ophiostoma stenoceras et Ophiostoma piceae. Dans la plupart des cas, la niche de colonisation avait un effet significatif sur l’abondance et la composition des champignons colonisateurs. Ceci confirme que l’empiètement entre les espèces est réduit par une ségrégation spatiale. L’interaction entre la niche et le temps avait rarement d’effet significatif, suggérant ainsi que les patrons de colonisation spatiale étaient rarement flexibles au cours de la dégradation du bois. Les différences entre les associations communes impliquant les scolytes pourraient être liées aux différentes niches que ces insectes occupent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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