Two methods to determine variability among strains of Phialocephala fortinii and sterile DSE (dark septate endophyte) Type 1 were compared: inter-simple sequence repeat polymerase chain reaction analysis (ISSR-PCR) and sequence analysis of the two internal transcribed spacers and the 5.8S ribosomal DNA (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2). Both methods showed similar results for some strains, but different results for others. Phylogenetic analysis of various strains of P. fortinii and Type 1 based on ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequence information showed that Type 1 strains, with the exception of one Type 1 strain and a strain with a Type-1-like culture morphology, form a well-supported clade, whereas P. fortinii strains are much more variable and the relative position of many strains on the tree are unresolved. Two sterile DSE strains with Type 1 culture morphology form a well-supported clade, separate from the P. fortinii -Type 1 clade. Phylogenetic analysis of some species of the Leotiales and of Phialocephala and related species based on ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences indicate that the genera Phialocephala and Sporendocladia are polyphyletic. One major clade, supported by a high bootstrap value, is positioned as a well-separated lineage among members of the Leotiales. Phialocephala fortinii, Phialocephala dimorphospora, Phialocephala compacta, Phialocephala scopiformis, and Type 1, all known as endophytes of woody plant species, are positioned in this clade. A second well-supported clade including Phialocephala humicola, Phialocephala xalapensis, and Phialocephala fusca was positioned outside the Leotiales. Phialocephala xalapensis and P. humicola had identical sequences and were not separable based on morphology. The two taxa were, therefore, considered to represent the same species. Phialocephala virens, Phialophora finlandia, Sporendocladia foliicola, and Leptodontidium orchidicola were not included in either of the two Phialocephala clades.Résumé : Les auteurs ont comparé deux méthodes pour déterminer la variabilité entre les souches des endophytes foncés à septations (DSE) Phialocephala fortinii et des DSE stériles du Type 1 : analyse par réaction en chaîne de la polymérase avec répétition de la séquence inter-simple (ISSR-PCR) et analyse des séquences des deux espaceurs internes transcrits de l'ADN ribosomal 5.8S (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2). Les deux méthodes montrent des résultats similaires pour certaines souches, mais différent pour d'autres souches. L'analyse phylogénétique de différentes souches du P. fortinii et du Type 1, basée sur les informations venant de l'ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, montre que les souches du Type 1, à l'exception d'une souche de Type 1 et d'une souche ayant une morphologie apparentée au Type 1, forment un clade cohérent, alors que les souches du P. fortinii sont beaucoup plus variables et la position relative de plusieurs souches sur le dendrogramme demeure irrésolue. Deux souches de DSE ayant une morphologie de Type 1 forment un clade cohérent, distinct du clade P. fortinii -Type 1. L'analyse phylogénétique de certaines espèces de Lé...