Fig. 1.

Ecological niches in which genera and species residing in the Ophiostomatales are found. A. Ulmus americana street trees dying as a result of Dutch Elm Disease (photo: D.W. French). B. Symptoms of infection by the human pathogen Sporothix schenckii (photo: Prof. Dr Flávio de Queiroz Telles Filho, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil). C. Signage in Yellowstone National Park emphasising the important role that bark beetles (and by extension their fungal symbionts) play in the ecology of conifer ecosystems. D. Blue stain in conifer timber caused by numerous species of Ophiostomatoid fungi. E. Hylobius rhizophagus (root collar weevil) squashed onto the surface of agar medium containing cycloheximide selective for many genera and species of Ophiostomatales and in this case Leptographium procerum. F. Infructescences of a Protea species in which numerous species of Ophiostomatoid fungi can be found. G. Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzesii) trees dying as a result of black stain root disease caused by Leptographium wageneri var. pseudotsugae (Photo: F.W. Cobb). H. Pinus resinosa trees dying as a result of mass infestation by Ips pini and associated Ophiostoma minus.