Host species of mistletoes (Loranthaceae and Viscaceae) in Australia

In order to study the relationships between mistletoes and their host species, comprehensive collections of both mistletoes and hosts are needed. The effect of sampling effort on the estimation of mistletoe host range was demonstrated in a comparison of an inventory of host mistletoe interactions published by Downey in 1998 and a 2019 inventory presented here, which is based on data from collections in the Australian Virtual Herbarium and information in the literature. New hosts were recorded for 93% of the 90 Australian mistletoes. There were 338 previously known hosts recorded to be parasitised by additional mistletoe species, and 317 new host species that were not previously known as mistletoe hosts (25 being alien species). These were from 78 new host genera and 13 new host families. The total number of host species was 1186 within 327 genera from 92 host families. A total of 63% of all Australian mistletoes parasitise species of either Eucalyptus or Acacia or both these genera. The large rise in host species recorded in less than two decades between inventories suggests that current knowledge of hosts is still incomplete, such that further new hosts will be discovered in future. Some mistletoe species show a strong preference to one host family or genus but due to insufficient collecting it is premature to conclude that any of the three species known from a single host are host specific.

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Regressive evolution of an effector following a host jump in the Irish Potato Famine Pathogen Lineage

10.1101/2021.10.04.463104 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Erin K. Zess ◽

Yasin F. Dagdas ◽

Esme Peers ◽

Abbas Maqbool ◽

Mark J. Banfield ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Host Species ◽

Irish Potato ◽

Sequence Motif ◽

New Host ◽

Regressive Evolution ◽

Host Environment ◽

Host Jump ◽

Potato Famine ◽

Irish Potato Famine ◽

New Host Species

AbstractIn order to infect a new host species, the pathogen must evolve to enhance infection and transmission in the novel environment. Although we often think of evolution as a process of accumulation, it is also a process of loss. Here, we document an example of regressive evolution in the Irish potato famine pathogen (Phytophthora infestans) lineage, providing evidence that a key sequence motif in the effector PexRD54 has degenerated following a host jump. We began by looking at PexRD54 and PexRD54-like sequences from across Phytophthora species. We found that PexRD54 emerged in the common ancestor of Phytophthora clade 1b and 1c species, and further sequence analysis showed that a key functional motif, the C-terminal ATG8-interacting motif (AIM), was also acquired at this point in the lineage. A closer analysis showed that the P. mirabilis PexRD54 (PmPexRD54) AIM appeared unusual, the otherwise-conserved central residue mutated from a glutamate to a lysine. We aimed to determine whether this PmPexRD54 AIM polymorphism represented an adaptation to the Mirabilis jalapa host environment. We began by characterizing the M. jalapa ATG8 family, finding that they have a unique evolutionary history compared to previously characterized ATG8s. Then, using co-immunoprecipitation and isothermal titration calorimetry assays, we showed that both full-length PmPexRD54 and the PmPexRD54 AIM peptide bind very weakly to the M. jalapa ATG8s. Through a combination of binding assays and structural modelling, we showed that the identity of the residue at the position of the PmPexRD54 AIM polymorphism can underpin high-affinity binding to plant ATG8s. Finally, we conclude that the functionality of the PexRD54 AIM was lost in the P. mirabilis lineage, perhaps owing to as-yet-unknown pressure on this effector in the new host environment.Author SummaryPathogens evolve in concert with their hosts. When a pathogen begins to infect a new host species, known as a “host jump,” the pathogen must evolve to enhance infection and transmission. These evolutionary processes can involve both the gain and loss of genes, as well as dynamic changes in protein function. Here, we describe an example of a pathogen protein that lost a key functional domain following a host jump, a salient example of “regressive evolution.” Specifically, we show that an effector protein from the plant pathogen Phytopthora mirabilis, a host-specific lineage closely related to the Irish potato famine pathogen Phytopthora infestans, has a derived amino acid polymorphism that results in a loss of interaction with certain host machinery.

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The AntCardiocondyla elegansas Host of the Enigmatic Endoparasitic FungusMyrmicinosporidium durum

Psyche A Journal of Entomology ◽

10.1155/2015/364967 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Julia Giehr ◽

Jürgen Heinze ◽

Alexandra Schrempf

Keyword(s):

Host Species ◽

Sampling Methods ◽

Infection Rates ◽

New Host ◽

High Infection ◽

New Host Species

Data on host species and the distribution of the endoparasitic fungusMyrmicinosporidium durumincreased continuously in recent decades. Here, we add the antCardiocondyla elegansas new host species. Colonies of the monogynous species were found infested in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon (South France). Samples from the nest indicate high infection rates. All castes and sexes were infected by the spores. Variations of infection rates between sampling methods and species are discussed.

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Three new species of Scyracepon Tattersall, 1905 (Isopoda: Bopyridae) from Pacific islands, with comments on the rarity of bopyrids parasitizing brachyurans

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4851.1.6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4851 (1) ◽

pp. 151-162

Author(s):

JIANMEI AN ◽

WANRUI ZHENG ◽

JIELONG LIANG ◽

GUSTAV PAULAY

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Host Species ◽

Pacific Islands ◽

Mariana Islands ◽

New Host ◽

Host Family ◽

Society Islands ◽

Three New Species ◽

Line Islands

Three new species of the bopyrid genus Scyracepon Tattersall, 1905 are described from crabs collected on Pacific Islands: Scyracepon polynesiensis n. sp. from the Society Islands, S. pseudoliomerae n. sp. from the Mariana Islands, and S. biglobosus n. sp. from the Line Islands. The first two were found infesting Xanthias lamarckii and Pseudoliomera sp. (Xanthidae), a new host family for species of Scyracepon, and the last was found parasitizing Schizophrys aspera (Majidae). Scyracepon now includes 11 species, all but one known from single collections, infesting 12 host species in 9 brachyuran families. The discovery of three new species, each rare, suggests that crab parasites are undersampled, and further suggests that the low relative diversity of bopyrids known from brachyurans may partly reflect this undersampling. Keys to all species of Scyracepon and to all 31 genera of Keponinae are provided.

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New state and host records for Agromyzidae (Diptera) in the United States, with the description of thirty new species

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4479.1.1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4479 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

CHARLES S. EISEMAN ◽

OWEN LONSDALE

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

New Species ◽

North America ◽

Host Species ◽

The United States ◽

Distribution Data ◽

New Host ◽

The Usa ◽

New Host Species ◽

State Records

We present rearing records of Agromyzidae (Diptera) from five years of collecting throughout the United States. We review host and distribution data, and describe leaf mines, for 93 species, plus 28 others that could not be confidently identified in the absence of male specimens. We report 147 new host species records, including the first rearing records for Agromyza bispinata Spencer, A. diversa Johnson, A. parca Spencer, A. pudica Spencer, A. vockerothi Spencer, Calycomyza michiganensis Steyskal, Ophiomyia congregata (Malloch), and Phytomyza aldrichi Spencer. Phytomyza anemones Hering and (tentatively identified) Cerodontha (Dizygomyza) iraeos (Robineau-Desvoidy) are new to North America; Agromyza albitarsis Meigen, Amauromyza shepherdiae Sehgal, Aulagromyza populicola (Walker), Liriomyza orilliensis Spencer, Phytomyza linnaeae (Griffiths), P. solidaginivora Spencer, and P. solidaginophaga Sehgal are new to the USA. We also present confirmed USA records for Calycomyza menthae Spencer (previous records were based only on leaf mines), Ophiomyia maura (Meigen) (reported from the USA in older literature but deleted from the fauna in the most recent revision (Spencer & Steyskal 1986)), and Phytomyza astotinensis Griffiths and P. thalictrivora Spencer (previously only tentatively recorded from the USA). We provide 111 additional new state records. We describe the following 30 new species: Agromyza fission, A. soka, Melanagromyza palmeri, Ophiomyia euthamiae, O. mimuli, O. parda, Calycomyza artemisivora, C. avira, C. eupatoriphaga, C. vogelmanni, Cerodontha (Dizygomyza) edithae, Cer. (D.) feldmani, Liriomyza ivorcutleri, L. valerianivora, Phytomyza actaeivora, P. aesculi, P. confusa, P. doellingeriae, P. erigeronis, P. hatfieldae, P. hydrophyllivora, P. palmeri, P. palustris, P. sempervirentis, P. tarnwoodensis, P. tigris, P. triangularidis, P. vancouveriella, P. verbenae, and P. ziziae.

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Establishment of the peanut bruchid (Caryedon serratus) in Australia and two new host species, Cassia brewsteri and C. tomentella

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea00182 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 57 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

D. C. Cunningham ◽

K. B. Walsh

Keyword(s):

Host Species ◽

Native Plants ◽

Potential Range ◽

New Host ◽

Caryedon Serratus ◽

Seed Loss ◽

Dry Tropics ◽

Potential Impact ◽

Combined Data ◽

New Host Species

The distribution of Caryedon serratus, the peanut (groundnut) bruchid, on 2 Australian native plants, Cassia brewsteri and C. tomentella, was documented over 2 years. Caryedon serratus was observed across the central and northern parts of the range of C. brewsteri (latitudes 19.258–24.140˚S) and at least part of the range of C. tomentella (as far as 24.427˚S). Seed loss to C. serratus in these species assessed across all collection sites was 40 ± 8.0% (mean ± s.e.). Where the bruchid was detected at a given site, 72 ± 8.6% of pods on 71 ± 8.5% of trees were affected. Additional distribution points and other potential host species from previous C. serratus collections in the Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC) are reported. The combined data were used to predict a potential range for the bruchid across the dry tropics of Australia. No reports of migration to cultivated or stored peanut (Arachis hypogaea) in Australia were located. Further investigation of the potential impact of this bruchid on the Australian peanut industry is recommended. A potentially beneficial aspect of C. serratus establishment may be the biological control of Acacia nilotica (prickly acacia) in Australia.

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The occurrence of species flocks in the nematode genus Cloacina (Strongyloidea : Cloacininae), parasitic in the stomachs of kangaroos and wallabies

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo02038 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 50 (6) ◽

pp. 597 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

I. Beveridge ◽

N. B. Chilton ◽

D. M. Spratt

Keyword(s):

Host Specificity ◽

Host Species ◽

Nematode Species ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Species Flock ◽

Sampling Effort ◽

Nematode Genus ◽

Single Host ◽

Species Flocks ◽

Occurrence Of Species

The occurrence of species flocks within the nematode genus Cloacina was examined using the criteria of host specificity, co-occurrence and monophyly. Species of Cloacina generally exhibited a high degree of host specificity, with most species occurring either in a single host species or in two closely related host species. The frequency distribution of numbers of component species of Cloacina per host species indicated that most host species harboured 2–4 species of nematodes, with an approximately exponential decline in the number of species of parasites to a maximum of 20 species of nematode per host species. Host species harbouring eight or more species of Cloacina were found within a single recent macropodid clade, but there was no correlation between evolutionary age of the host and the number of parasite species harboured. Sampling effort was significantly correlated with the number of nematode species found and, in partial regression analysis, subsumed the effects of host body size and geographic range, which were found to be significant correlates with the number of nematode species present in preliminary analyses. Analysis of co-occurrences of nematode species indicated significant variation between host species, with some hosts (e.g. Macropus agilis) most commonly harbouring a single species of Cloacina, while closely related host species (e.g. M. dorsalis) most commonly harboured numerous species. Parsimony analysis of species of Cloacina based on morphological data suggested that while small series of related nematode species could be identified within a single host species, the species flock in each host species is polyphyletic in origin. Species flocks contributed significantly to community richness in some host species.

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Mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Cheyletoidea) parasitizing waxbills of the genus Estrilda (Passeriformes: Estrildidae)

Systematic and Applied Acarology ◽

10.11158/saa.24.9.15 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (9) ◽

pp. 1799-1808

Author(s):

Maciej Skoracki ◽

Martin Hromada ◽

Petra Prevuznakova ◽

Wanyoike Wamiti

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Host Species ◽

New Host ◽

Quill Mites ◽

The Family ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

First Time ◽

A New Species ◽

New Host Species

Quill mites (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Syringophilidae) parasitizing waxbills of genus Estrilda Swainson (Aves: Passeriformes: Estrildidae) from the Sub-Saharan region are studied for the first time. Among them, a new species, Syringophiloidus estrildus sp. nov., is described and new host species for Neosyringophilopsis lonchurus Skoracki, 2008, Neoaulonastus oryzivorus (Skoracki, 2011) comb. nov., and Picobia lonchurae Skoracki et al., 2016 are recorded. In our study, we examined 120 specimens belonging to seven of the 16 (44%) species of the genus Estrilda. The prevalence of infestation by syringophilid species varied from 3.7 to 25%. The host and habitat (feather type) specificity are discussed.

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Expanded Range and New Host Species ofMycobacterium shottsiiandM. pseudoshottsii

Journal of Aquatic Animal Health ◽

10.1577/h09-005.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 179-183 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Cynthia B. Stine ◽

John M. Jacobs ◽

Matt R. Rhodes ◽

Anthony Overton ◽

Mark Fast ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Host Species ◽

New Host ◽

New Host Species

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Systematics of the genus Syringophilopsis Kethley, 1970 (Acari: Prostigmata: Syringophilidae) with description of three new species from North American passerines

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.2793.1.1 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2793 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

MACIEJ SKORACKI ◽

SARAH A. HENDRICKS ◽

GREG S. SPICER

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Host Species ◽

The United States ◽

New Host ◽

Sitta Carolinensis ◽

Passerina Cyanea ◽

Three New Species ◽

Sturnella Neglecta ◽

World Fauna ◽

New Host Species

Three new species of the genus Syringophilopsis collected from the United States are described and figured: S. certhiae sp. nov. ex Certhia americana Bonaparte (Certhiidae) from California, S. sittae sp. nov. ex Sitta carolinensis Latham (Sittidae) also from California, and S. sturnellus sp. nov. ex Sturnella neglecta Audubon (Icteridae) from Arizona. Additionally, S. passerinae (Clark, 1964) is redescribed based on the material from the type host species, Passerina cyanea (Linnaeus) (Cardinalidae). New host species for S. icteri Bochkov & Mironov, 2001 and S. passerinae are added. The world fauna of Syringophilopsis is summarized and keyed.

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