Taxonomy and pathogenicity of ophiostomatoid fungi associated with bark beetles infesting conifers in Japan, with special reference to those related to subalpine conifers

Ophiostomatoid fungi are ambiguous. They belong to the Ascomycota, and were formerly treated as one family and grouped in one genus, but molecular phylogenic studies have shown that they are divided into two orders and their generic classification must be altered. Our research group conducted taxonomic studies on ophiostomatoid fungi, their association with bark beetles, and their pathogenicity against host trees. This review summarizes recent changes in the taxonomic treatment of these fungi and their relationships with bark beetles associated with subalpine conifers in Japan. Furthermore, methods for evaluating their virulence against conifer trees are discussed.