PLANT SPECIES INVASIONS ALONG THE LATITUDINAL GRADIENT IN THE UNITED STATES: COMMENT

Information on use and management of wild species of Cucurbitaceae is presented, in order to analyze processes of incipient plant domestication. Ibervillea millspaughii is a perennial plant species with massive roots, distributed from Tamaulipas to Belize. Roots of this species are utilized as medicine in the treatment of arthritis, inflammations and muscular pain. Roots are commonly collected from individuals in wild populations, but, in some villages of Quinatana Roo people tolerate and enhance individuals of this plant species in anthropogenic areas; also, people cultivate this plant species in home gardens. Melothria pendula is distributed from the United States to Argentina. Fruits and young stems and leaves of this species are consumed as food and used in traditional medicine. These products are generally gathered from wild or weedy populations, but in La Montaña de Guerrero region, the tolerance of this species and the intentional dispersion of its seeds in anthropogenic areas are also common, in order to increase its availability. Use and propagation of this plant species may involve selection by people who distinguish between "bitter" and "sweet" variants, preferring the "sweet" ones. Sicyos parviflorus, Cyclanthera dissecta, C. langaei and C. ribiflora are consumed as greens by people in different regions of Mexico, who gather them from wild or weedy populations, although individual plants of these species are also tolerated in anthropogenic areas. The different forms of management identified in the species mentioned are possibly causing processes of domestication, but such processes are yet to be evaluated.

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Alternanthera mosaic virus Found in Scutellaria, Crossandra, and Portulaca spp. in Florida

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pd-90-0833c ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 90 (6) ◽

pp. 833-833 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

C. A. Baker ◽

L. Breman ◽

L. Jones

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

United States ◽

Mosaic Virus ◽

Plant Species ◽

The United States ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Indicator Plants ◽

Partial Identity ◽

Pcr Products

In the fall of 1998, the Division of Plant Industry (DPI) received vegetative propagations of Scutellaria longifolia (skullcap) with symptoms of foliar mosaic, chlorotic/necrotic ringspots, and wavy line patterns from a nursery in Manatee County. Flexuous particles approximately 500 nm long were found with electron microscopy. The plants tested positive for Papaya mosaic virus (PaMV) in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test with antiserum to PaMV (Agdia, Elkhart, IN). However, in immunodiffusion tests (antiserum from D. Purcifull, University of Florida), this virus gave a reaction of partial identity indicating it was related but not identical to PaMV (1). The original infected plants were kept in a greenhouse. In January 2005, a specimen of Crossandra infundibuliformis (firecracker plant) with mosaic symptoms was submitted to the DPI from a nursery in Alachua County. Inclusions found with light microscopy and particles found with electron microscopy indicated that this plant was infected with a potexvirus. This was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primers designed to detect members of the virus family Potexviridae (3). These plants reacted positive to PaMV antiserum in ELISA and gave a reaction of partial identity to PaMV in immunodiffusion. A specimen of Portulaca grandiflora (moss rose) with distorted leaves found at a local retail store was also tested and gave the same results. Leaves from each of the three plant species were rubbed onto a set of indicator plants using Carborundum and potassium phosphate buffer. Total RNA was extracted from symptomatic indicator plants of Nicotiana benthamiana. RT-PCR (3) was performed, and PCR products were sequenced directly. Sequences of approximately 700 bp were obtained for all three plant species and showed 98% identity with each other. BLAST search results showed that these sequences were 93% identical to an Alternanthera mosaic virus (AltMV) sequence at the nucleotide level but only 76% identical to PaMV. The amino acid sequences were 98 and 82% identical to AltMV and PaMV, respectively. The PCR products of the virus from Scutellaria sp. were cloned, resequenced, and the sequence was entered into the GenBank (Accession No. DQ393785). The bioassay results matched those found for AltMV in Australia (2) and the northeastern United States (4), except that the Florida viruses infected Datura stramonium and Digitalis purpurea (foxglove). The virus associated with the symptoms of these three plants appears to be AltMV and not PaMV. AltMV has been found in ornamental plants in Australia, Italy, and the United States (Pennsylvania, Maryland, and now Florida). Since this virus is known to infect several plants asymptomatically and can be easily confused with PaMV serologically, it is likely that the distribution of this virus is much wider than is known at this time. References: (1) L. L. Breman. Plant Pathology Circular No. 396. Fla. Dept. Agric. Consum. Serv. DPI, 1999. (2) A. D. W. Geering and J. E. Thomas. Arch Virol 144:577, 1999. (3) A. Gibbs et al. J Virol Methods 74:67, 1998. (4) J. Hammond et al. Arch Virol. 151:477, 2006.

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Global threat to agriculture from invasive species

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1602205113 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 113 (27) ◽

pp. 7575-7579 ◽

Cited By ~ 224

Author(s):

Dean R. Paini ◽

Andy W. Sheppard ◽

David C. Cook ◽

Paul J. De Barro ◽

Susan P. Worner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Invasive Species ◽

The United States ◽

African Countries ◽

Potential Threat ◽

Potential Cost ◽

Trade Patterns ◽

Species Invasions ◽

The World ◽

Potential Sources

Invasive species present significant threats to global agriculture, although how the magnitude and distribution of the threats vary between countries and regions remains unclear. Here, we present an analysis of almost 1,300 known invasive insect pests and pathogens, calculating the total potential cost of these species invading each of 124 countries of the world, as well as determining which countries present the greatest threat to the rest of the world given their trading partners and incumbent pool of invasive species. We find that countries vary in terms of potential threat from invasive species and also their role as potential sources, with apparently similar countries sometimes varying markedly depending on specifics of agricultural commodities and trade patterns. Overall, the biggest agricultural producers (China and the United States) could experience the greatest absolute cost from further species invasions. However, developing countries, in particular, Sub-Saharan African countries, appear most vulnerable in relative terms. Furthermore, China and the United States represent the greatest potential sources of invasive species for the rest of the world. The analysis reveals considerable scope for ongoing redistribution of known invasive pests and highlights the need for international cooperation to slow their spread.

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Exotic Asian pheretimoid earthworms (Amynthas spp., Metaphire spp.): Potential for colonisation of south-eastern Canada and effects on forest ecosystems

Environmental Reviews ◽

10.1139/er-2017-0066 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 113-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Jean-David Moore ◽

Josef H. Görres ◽

John W. Reynolds

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Human Activities ◽

Forest Ecosystems ◽

Biological Diversity ◽

The United States ◽

Biological Traits ◽

Northeastern United States ◽

Eastern Canada ◽

Management Options ◽

Species Invasions

Exotic species invasions are among the most significant global-scale problems caused by human activities. They can seriously threaten the conservation of biological diversity and of natural resources. Exotic European earthworms have been colonizing forest ecosystems in northeastern United States and southern Canada since the European settlement. By comparison, Asian earthworms began colonizing forests in the northeastern United States more recently. Since Asian species have biological traits compatible with a greater potential for colonization and disturbance than some European species, apprehension is growing about their dispersal into new territories. Here we review the extent of the current northern range of Asian earthworms in northeastern North America, the factors facilitating or limiting their propagation and colonization, and the potential effects of their invasion on forest ecosystems. Data compilation shows that Asian earthworms are present in all northeastern American states. So far, only one mention has been reported in Canada. Data confirm that their distribution has now reached the Canadian border, particularly along the Michigan–Ontario, New York–Ontario, Maine–New Brunswick, and Vermont–Québec frontiers. Studies report that the presence of Asian earthworms is strongly associated with human activities such as horticulture, vermicomposting, and the use of worms as fish bait. Some climatic (temperature, soil moisture) and edaphic (soil pH) factors may also influence their distribution. Controlling their dispersal at the source is essential to limiting their spread, as there is currently no effective way to eradicate established earthworm populations without unacceptable nontarget effects. Proposed management options in the United States include the prohibition of fish bait disposal and better management of the international trade of horticultural goods, commercial nurseries, and vermicomposting industries. We conclude that although regulations and awareness may delay their expansion, Asian earthworms are likely to spread further north into Canada. They are expected to cause important changes to biodiversity and dynamics of the newly invaded forest ecosystems.

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NEW RECORDS OF PLANT SPECIES USED BY ADULT MONARCH BUTTERFLIES DANAUS PLEXIPPUS L. (LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE: DANAINAE) DURING MIGRATION IN MEXICO

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/ent129375-2 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 129 (2) ◽

pp. 375-376 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eduardo Rivera García ◽

Miguel E. Equihua Zamora

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Host Plant ◽

Plant Species ◽

New Records ◽

Danaus Plexippus ◽

Monarch Butterfly ◽

The United States ◽

Food Plants ◽

Immature Stages ◽

Cosmopolitan Species

Danausplexippus L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is a cosmopolitan species, distributed in America wherever milkweed grows (Amett 1985). Its migratory phenomenon spans Canada, the United States, and Mexico and it has been considered endangered since the 1980s (IUCN 1983).Ackery and Van-Wright (1984) compiled 45 species of food plants used by immature stages and 70 species of plants attractive to adults of the Monarch butterfly. Malcolm and Brower (1986) listed 28 host plant species recorded in nature. Lynch and Martin (1993) added six Asclepias species and observed larvae on three species of milkweed vine, Sarcostemma crispum and S. cynancroides in Texas, and Cynanchum laeve in Louisiana.

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Twobandad Japanese Weevil, Pseudocneorhinus bifasciatus Roelofs (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

EDIS ◽

10.32473/edis-in646-2005 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2006 (7) ◽

Author(s):

Jamba Gyeltshen ◽

Amanda Hodges

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Host Range ◽

Plant Species ◽

The United States ◽

Publication Date ◽

Original Publication ◽

Washington County ◽

Midwestern United States ◽

Nursery Stock ◽

Important Pest

The twobanded Japanese weevil, Pseudocneorhinus bifasciatus (Roelofs), first collected in the United States in 1914 near Philadelphia, was most likely introduced with infested nursery stock from Japan (Wheeler and Boyd 2005). With a host range of over 100 plant species, the twobanded Japanese weevil is recognized in the northeastern and midwestern United States as an important pest of landscape plantings (Wheeler and Boyd 2005). Although not a pest of major concern yet in the southeastern states, it is likely to extend its range due to movement of nursery stock. In July 2005, two specimens of the twobanded Japanese weevil were collected at Chipley, Florida, which is in Washington county (Thomas 2005). This document is EENY-361 (IN646), one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date December 2005. EENY361/IN646: Twobanded Japanese Weevil, Pseudocneorhinus bifasciatus Roelofs (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (ufl.edu)

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Comparative Susceptibility of Plants Native to the Appalachian Range of the United States to Inoculation with Phytophthora ramorum

Plant Health Progress ◽

10.1094/php-2007-0917-01-rs ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 12 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Robert G. Linderman ◽

Patricia B. de Sá ◽

E. Anne Davis

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Plant Species ◽

Mating Type ◽

Management Practices ◽

The United States ◽

Phytophthora Ramorum ◽

Eastern United States ◽

Comparative Susceptibility ◽

Climatic Characteristics ◽

Inoculum Type

Phytophthora ramorum, cause of sudden oak death of trees or ramorum blight of other plant species, has an ever-increasing host range. Some geographic regions are considered to be at high risk of becoming infested with the pathogen, possibly causing plant mortality such as seen in native habitats of California and Oregon. One such region is the Appalachian range of the eastern United States, where known susceptible plants occur and climatic characteristics appear favorable for infections by this pathogen. We collected foliage of a range of plant species native to Appalachia in Kentucky during two summer seasons, and the foliage was shipped to Oregon for inoculation with P. ramorum to determine relative susceptibility. Leaves were needle-wounded and inoculated with either mycelium agar plugs or sporangia of a North American (A2 mating type) or European (A1 mating type) isolate. After 14 days incubation at 20°C in moist boxes, lesions caused by either inoculum type or isolate generally were comparable using digital photos and ASSESS software. Some genera, species, and cultivars within species were highly susceptible, while others were moderately susceptible or not susceptible. These results provide a basis for regional surveyors to select target hosts and to generate survey and management practices for nursery and forest areas. Accepted for publication 24 April 2007. Published 17 September 2007.

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