Oogonial biometry and phylogenetic analyses of the Pythium vexans species group from woody agricultural hosts in South Africa reveal distinct groups within this taxon

Cryphonectria cubensis is an economically important pathogen of commercial Eucalyptus spp. Differences have been reported for disease symptoms associated with Cryphonectria canker in South Africa and other parts of the world, and recent DNA-based comparisons have confirmed that the fungus in South Africa is different from that in South America and Australasia. During a disease survey in the Republic of Congo, Cryphonectria canker was identified as an important disease on Eucalyptus grandis and E. urophylla. In this study, we compared Congolese and South African isolates of C. cubensis using DNA sequence data and pathogenicity under greenhouse conditions. The β-tubulin and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences show that C. cubensis in Congo is different from the fungus in South Africa and that Congolese isolates group most closely with South American isolates. Furthermore, pathogenicity tests showed that a South African isolate was more aggressive than two Congolese isolates. We conclude that two distinct Cryphonectria spp. occur in Africa and hypothesize that the fungus in the Congo probably was introduced into Africa from South America. Both fungi are important pathogens causing disease and death of economically important plantation trees. However, they apparently have different origins and must be treated separately in terms of disease management and quarantine considerations.

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Pythium vexans. [Distribution map].

Distribution Maps of Plant Diseases ◽

10.1079/dmpd/20056500205 ◽

1980 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Solanum Tuberosum ◽

Central America ◽

Papua New Guinea ◽

West Indies ◽

Solomon Islands ◽

Distribution Map ◽

Pythium Vexans ◽

New Distribution ◽

Comoro Islands

Abstract A new distribution map is provided for Pythium vexans de Bary. Hosts: Various, Potato (Solanum tuberosum), Gramineae, etc. Information is given on the geographical distribution in AFRICA, Comoro Islands, Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, ASIA, Brunei, Hong Kong, India (General), Indonesia (Sumatra), Kampuchea, Malaysia (Sabah) (Sarawak), Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, AUSTRALASIA & OCEANIA, Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, EUROPE, Britain, France, Germany, Greece, Irish Republic, Netherlands, NORTH AMERICA, USA (General), CENTRAL AMERICA & WEST INDIES, Haiti, Jamaica, SOUTH AMERICA, Argentina, Brazil (Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais) (Para), Venezuela.

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Contrasting the population genetic structure of two velvet worm taxa (Onychophora : Peripatopsidae : Peripatopsis) in forest fragments along the south-eastern Cape, South Africa

Invertebrate Systematics ◽

10.1071/is16085 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (6) ◽

pp. 781 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Savel R. Daniels ◽

Megan Dreyer ◽

Prashant P. Sharma

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Population Genetic ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Dna Sequence Data ◽

Mtdna Coi ◽

Haplotype Networks ◽

Velvet Worm

During the present study, we examined the phylogeography and systematics of two species of velvet worm (Peripatopsis Pocock, 1894) in the forested region of the southern Cape of South Africa. A total of 89 P. moseleyi (Wood-Mason, 1879) and 65 P. sedgwicki (Purcell, 1899) specimens were collected and sequenced for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I mtDNA (COI). In addition, a single P. sedgwicki specimen per sample locality was sequenced for the 18S rRNA locus. Furthermore, morphological variation among P. sedgwicki sample localities were explored using traditional alpha taxonomic characters. DNA sequence data were subjected to phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian inference and population genetic analyses using haplotype networks and analyses of molecular variance (AMOVAs). Phylogenetic results revealed the presence of four and three clades within P. moseleyi and P. sedgwicki respectively. Haplotype networks were characterised by the absence of shared haplotypes between clades, suggesting genetic isolation, a result corroborated by the AMOVA and highly significant FST values. Specimens from Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve were both genetically and morphologically distinct from the two remaining P. sedgwicki clades. The latter result suggests the presence of a novel lineage nested within P. sedgwicki and suggests that species boundaries within this taxon require re-examination.

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First Report of Leaf Rust of Blueberry Caused by Thekopsora minima on Vaccinium corymbosum in the Western Cape, South Africa

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-94-4-0478c ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 94 (4) ◽

pp. 478-478 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

L. Mostert ◽

W. Bester ◽

T. Jensen ◽

S. Coertze ◽

A. van Hoorn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Water Solution ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

The United States ◽

Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽

Tween 20 ◽

Western Cape ◽

The South ◽

First Report

Southern highbush blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrids) showing rust-like symptoms were observed in July 2006 in Porterville in the Western Cape (WC), South Africa. Diseased plants were also found in Villiersdorp and George in the WC in 2007. In 2008, symptoms were observed in George, and in 2009, in all the previous reported areas. Cvs. Bluecrisp, Emerald, Jewel, Sharpblue, and Star were infected. Reddish-to-brown spots appeared on the adaxial surface of leaves and developed into yellow-to-orange erumpent uredinia with pulverulent urediniospores. Uredinia were hypophyllous, dome shaped, 113 to 750 μm wide, and occasionally coalescing. Urediniospores were broadly obovate, sometimes ellipsoidal or pyriform, with yellowish orange content, and measured 19 to 27 × 12 to 20 μm (average 24 × 15 μm, n = 30). Spore walls were echinulate, hyaline, 1 to 1.5 μm thick, and with obscure germ pores. No telia or teliospores were observed. Voucher specimens were lodged in the South African National Fungus Collection in Pretoria (PREM 60245). The isolate was initially identified as Thekopsora minima P. Syd. & Syd., based primarily on the absence of conspicuous ostiolar cells characteristic of Naohidemyces spp. (3). Genomic DNA was extracted from urediniospores. Approximately 1,400 bp were amplified spanning the 5.8S, ITS2, and 28S large subunit of the ribosomal DNA (1). The sequence (GU355675) shared 96% (907 of 942 bp; GenBank AF522180) and 94% (1,014 of 1,047 bp; GenBank DQ354563) similarities in the 28S portion, respectively, to those of Naohidemyces vaccinii (Wint.) Sato, Katsuya et Y. Hiratsuka and Pucciniastrum geoppertianum (Kuehn) Kleb, two of the three known rust species of blueberry (2). Although no sequences of T. minima were available for direct comparison, phylogenetic analyses of the 28S region strongly supported the South African blueberry rust as congeneric with T. guttata (J. Schröt.) P. Syd. & Syd. (GenBank AF426231) and T. symphyti (Bubák) Berndt (GenBank AF26230) (data not shown). Four 6-month-old cv. Sharpblue plants were inoculated with a suspension (approximate final concentration of 1 × 105 spores per ml) of fresh urediniospores in a water solution with 0.05% Tween 20. After incubation at 20°C for 48 h under continuous fluorescent lighting, the plants were grown in a glasshouse (18/25°C night/day temperatures). Identical uredinia and symptoms developed approximately 3 weeks after inoculation on the inoculated plants, but not on two control plants of cv. Sharpblue sprayed with distilled water and kept at the same conditions. The alternate host hemlock (Tsuga spp.) is not endemic to South Africa and not sold as an ornamental plant according to a large conifer nursery. Hosts of T. minima include Gaylussacia baccata, G. frondosa, Lyonia neziki, Menziesia pilosa, Rhododendron canadense, R. canescens, R. lutescens R. ponticum, R. prunifolium, R. viscosum, V. angustifolium var. laevifolium, V. corumbosum, and V. erythrocarpon (3). Visual inspection of possible hosts in the gardens in close proximity of Vaccinium production areas did not show any rust symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. minima on blueberries outside of Asia and the United States (2). References: (1) M. C. Aime. Mycoscience 47:112, 2006. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory. Online publication. USDA-ARS, 2009. (3) S. Sato et al. Trans. Mycol. Soc. Jpn. 34:47, 1993.

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A re-examination of the molecular systematics and phylogeography of taxa of the Peromyscus aztecus species group, with comments on the distribution of P. winkelmanni

Therya ◽

10.12933/therya-21-1115 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 331-346

Author(s):

C. William Kilpatrick ◽

Nelish Pradhan ◽

Ryan W Norris

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Distinct Species ◽

Molecular Study ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Species Group ◽

Cytb Sequence ◽

Voucher Specimen ◽

Cranial Measurements ◽

Mitochondrial Cytochrome B ◽

Isthmus Of Tehuantepec

The objectives of this study are to examine the available molecular data from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene (Cytb) and a concatenated dataset with this gene and two nuclear introns (Adh-1-I2 and Fgb-I7) to reexamine the systematic and phylogeographic conclusions reached by Sullivan et al. (1997) concerning the Peromyscus aztecus species group. The divergence of samples of P. aztecus oaxacensis across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec are further examined and taxonomic revisions are suggested. In addition, this study reviews the sources of data that lead to the conclusion that P. winkelmanni occurred in the Sierra Madre del Sur in Guerrero including a morphometric examination of a reported voucher. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses were conducted on a dataset of 31 Cytb sequences of all taxa in the P. aztecus group except for P. a. cordillerae and a concatenated dataset including five individuals of this group. Representative taxa of the P. boylii, P. mexicanus, and P. truei groups were included in both analyses. Body and cranial measurements of the voucher of the P. winkelmanni from Guerrero from which a Cytb sequence is reported to have been obtained was compared with measurements from specimens taken from the vicinity of Dos Aguas, Michoacán, including the type locality. We identified seven instances involving problematic identifications in GenBank. Once these issues were addressed, well-supported monophyletic sister clades of the P. aztecus and P. boylii species groups were recovered from phylogenetic analyses of Cytb sequences (Fig 1). Phylogenetic analyses of the Cytb and the concatenated datasets recover similar topologies that support the relationships of taxa of the aztecus group proposed by an earlier molecular study. Populations of P. a. oaxacensis southeast of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec represent a distinct species. Measurements of the voucher from Guerrero identified as the source of a P. winkelmanni Cytb sequence are smaller than P. winkelmanni for several characters. The divergent populations of P. a. oaxacensis from southeast of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec are recognized as two subspecies of P. cordillerae, P. c. cordillerae and P. c. hondurensis, whereas those northwest of the Isthmus are retained as P. a. oaxacensis. The lack of genetic divergence observed between P. a. evides and P. a. oaxacensis questions whether these two taxa should continue to be recognized as separate subspecies. Northern and southern populations of P. spicilegus demonstrate moderate divergence and additional examination of morphological and molecular differentiation within this taxon is warranted. The distribution of P. winkelmanni should be restricted to the vicinity of Dos Aguas, Michoacán, due to the lack of a voucher specimen that would confirm its reported occurrence in Guerrero.

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The Vietnamese population of Megophrys kuatunensis (Amphibia: Megophryidae) represents a new species of Asian horned frog from Vietnam and southern China

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4344.3.3 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4344 (3) ◽

pp. 465 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

BENJAMIN TAPLEY ◽

TIMOTHY CUTAJAR ◽

STEPHEN MAHONY ◽

CHUNG THANH NGUYEN ◽

VINH QUANG DAU ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Southern China ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Eastern China ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Species Group ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Vietnamese Population ◽

Group A ◽

A New Species

The Asian frog genus Megophrys is a diverse group of morphologically conserved, forest-dwelling frogs. The genus harbours highly localised species diversification and new species continue to be described on a regular basis. We examined the taxonomic status of a population of Megophrys frogs from the Hoang Lien Range in northern Vietnam and southern China previously identified as M. kuatunensis (subgenus Panophrys). Preliminary phylogenetic analyses using a fragment of 16S rDNA places the species in question within the Megophrys (subgenus Panophrys) species group, a primarily Chinese radiation within the genus. On the basis of morphological, molecular and bioacoustic data, we conclude that this population does not represent M. kuatunensis, or any known species in the genus. We herein describe this species of Megophrys as new. Known only from Sa Pa District, Lao Cai Province in Vietnam and Jinping County, Yunnan Province in China, the new species is likely to be threatened by ongoing deforestation in the region. We provide an updated species description of M. kuatunensis based on type specimens, and suggest that M. kuatunensis is likely to be restricted to eastern China.

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Eutypa, Eutypella, and Cryptovalsa Species (Diatrypaceae) Associated with Prunus Species in South Africa

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-11-17-1696-re ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 102 (7) ◽

pp. 1402-1409 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Providence Moyo ◽

Ulrike Damm ◽

Lizel Mostert ◽

Francois Halleen

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Fruit Trees ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Stone Fruit ◽

Prunus Species ◽

Internal Transcribed Spacer Region ◽

Eutypa Lata ◽

Eutypa Dieback ◽

Prunus Spp

Stone fruit trees (Prunus spp.) are economically important fruit trees cultivated in South Africa. These trees are often grown in close proximity to vineyards and are to a large extent affected by the same trunk disease pathogens as grapevines. The aim of the present study was to determine whether stone fruit trees are inhabited by Diatrypaceae species known from grapevines and whether these trees could act as alternative hosts for these fungal species. Isolations were carried out from symptomatic wood of Prunus species (almond, apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach, and plum) in stone fruit growing areas in South Africa. Identification of isolates was based on phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region and β-tubulin gene. Forty-six Diatrypaceae isolates were obtained from a total of 380 wood samples, from which five species were identified. All five species have also been associated with dieback of grapevine. The highest number of isolates was found on apricot followed by plum. No Diatrypaceae species were isolated from peach and nectarine. Eutypa lata was the dominant species isolated (26 isolates), followed by Cryptovalsa ampelina (7), Eutypa cremea (5), Eutypella citricola (5), and Eutypella microtheca (3). First reports from Prunus spp. are E. cremea, E. citricola, and E. microtheca. Pathogenicity tests conducted on apricot and plum revealed that all these species are pathogenic to these hosts, causing red-brown necrotic lesions like those typical of Eutypa dieback on apricot.

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The Akodon boliviensis species group (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) in Argentina: species limits and distribution, with the description of a new entity

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.2409.1.1 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2409 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

J. PABLO JAYAT ◽

PABLO E. ORTIZ ◽

JORGE SALAZAR-BRAVO ◽

ULYSES F. J. PARDIÑAS ◽

GUILLERMO D’ELÍA

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Species Group ◽

Species Limits ◽

Northwestern Argentina ◽

Semiarid Environments ◽

Central Argentina ◽

The Andes ◽

Mountain System ◽

Living Species

Akodon, with about 42 living species, is the most diverse genus of the subfamily Sigmodontinae. The Akodon boliviensis species group includes small-bodied, morphologically similar forms inhabiting Altiplano grasslands and grassland/forest ecotones of the eastern slope of the Andes, from central Peru to central Argentina. Northwestern Argentina contains the largest diversity of species of the group; the taxonomic treatment of these species has been based largely on unsupported and some weakly based opinions as underscored by recurrent changes. Based on morphologic and molecular data we assessed species limits among Argentinean populations of the Akodon boliviensis species group. We conclude that four species of the A. boliviensis species group inhabit northwestern Argentina. These are: A. boliviensis; A. caenosus (under which we synonymyze A. aliquantulus); A. spegazzinii (of which the nominal forms alterus, leucolimnaeus, and tucumanensis are junior synonyms); and A. sylvanus. Additionally, we described here a new species of the A. boliviensis species group, Akodon polopi, which inhabits central Argentina. This is the only species of the A. boliviensis species group inhabiting the Sierras Grandes range (ca. 2000 m), mountain system of medium height, isolated (ca., 600 km) from the main Andean chain by low elevation arid and semiarid environments. Additionally, our phylogenetic analyses suggests that the Akodon varius species group is polyphyletic.

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A new species of black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) in the Simulium (Simulium) multistriatum species-group from Thailand

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4586.3.4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4586 (3) ◽

pp. 461 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

JIRAPORN THAIJARERN ◽

KOMGRIT WONGPAKAM ◽

ANONGRIT KANGRANG ◽

PAIROT PRAMUAL

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Genetic Distance ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Strong Support ◽

Pupal Stage ◽

Species Group ◽

Mountainous Area ◽

Black Fly ◽

Interspecific Genetic Distance

A new black fly species of the Simulium multistriatum species-group of the subgenus Simulium Latreille is described from the mountainous area in northeastern Thailand, based on morphology and mitochondrial DNA sequences. The new species is morphologically similar to S. laui Takaoka and Sofian-Azirun and S. lacduongense Takaoka and Ya’cob originally described from Vietnam, S. fenestratum Edwards originally described from Indonesia and S. chaliowae Takaoka and Boonkemtong originally described from Thailand, but can be distinguished in the adult stage by the number of upper eye facets and globular shape of the spermatheca and in the pupal stage by the cocoon and shape of thoracic tubercles. Genetic distance and phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I sequences differentiated the new species from other members of S. multistriatum species-group. All specimens of the new species formed a monophyletic clade with strong support in all phylogenetic analyses. The minimum interspecific genetic distance of 4.9% is considerably greater than the new species maximum intraspecific genetic distance (2.7%).

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Ellimenistes humeralis Marshall, 1947 and its allies (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Embrithini)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4563.1.10 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4563 (1) ◽

pp. 175

Author(s):

ROMAN BOROVEC ◽

OTO NAKLÁDAL

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

New Species ◽

Species Group ◽

Female Genitalia ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Three New Species ◽

First Time

The Ellimenistes humeralis Marshall, 1947 species group is defined. Ellimenistes humeralis is redescribed, three new species belonging to this species group are described, illustrated and keyed: E. janaki Borovec & Nakládal, sp. nov., E. marshalli Borovec & Nakládal, sp. nov. and E. raucus Borovec & Nakládal, sp. nov., all from South Africa, Eastern Cape. A lectotype of Ellimenistes humeralis Marshall, 1947 is designated. The diagnosis of the genus Ellimenistes is completed with illustrations of the female genitalia provided for the first time.

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