Browsing by Author "Jung, Thomas"
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- Diversity of Phytophthora Species from Declining Mediterranean Maquis Vegetation, including Two New Species, Phytophthora crassamura and P. ornamentata sp nov.Publication . Scanu, Bruno; Linaldeddu, Benedetto T.; Deidda, Antonio; Jung, ThomasThe Mediterranean basin is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot accounting for more than 25,000 plant species that represent almost 10% of the world's vascular flora. In particular, the maquis vegetation on Mediterranean islands and archipelagos constitutes an important resource of the Mediterranean plant diversity due to its high rate of endemism. Since 2009, a severe and widespread dieback and mortality of Quercus ilex trees and several other plant species of the Mediterranean maquis has been observed in the National Park of La Maddalena archipelago (northeast Sardinia, Italy). Infected plants showed severe decline symptoms and a significant reduction of natural regeneration. First studies revealed the involvement of the highly invasive wide-host range pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi and several fungal pathogens. Subsequent detailed research led to a better understanding of these epidemics showing that multiple Phytophthora spp. were involved, some of them unknown to science. In total, nine Phytophthora species were isolated from rhizosphere soil samples collected from around symptomatic trees and shrubs including Asparagus albus, Cistus sp., Juniperus phoenicea, J. oxycedrus, Pistacia lentiscus and Rhamnus alaternus. Based on morphological characters, growth-temperature relations and sequence analysis of the ITS and cox1 gene regions, the isolates were identified as Phytophthora asparagi, P. bilorbang, P. cinnamomi, P. cryptogea, P. gonapodyides, P. melonis, P. syringae and two new Clade 6 taxa which are here described as P. crassamura sp. nov. and P. ornamentata sp. nov. Pathogenicity tests supported their possible involvement in the severe decline that is currently threatening the Mediterranean maquis vegetation in the La Maddalena archipelago.
- Diversity of Phytophthora species in natural ecosystems of Taiwan and association with disease symptomsPublication . Jung, Thomas; Chang, T. T.; Bakonyi, J.; Seress, D.; Perez-Sierra, A.; Yang, X.; Hong, C.; Scanu, B.; Fu, C. H.; Hsueh, K. L.; Maia, Cristiana; Abad-Campos, P.; Leon, M.; Horta Jung, MaríliaIn 2013 a survey of Phytophthora diversity was performed in 25 natural and seminatural forest stands and 25 rivers in temperate montane and subtropical lowland regions of Taiwan. Using baiting assays, 10 described species and 17 previously unknown taxa of Phytophthora were isolated from 71.5% of the 144 rhizosphere soil samples from 33 of 40 tree species sampled in 24 forest stands, and from 19 rivers: P. capensis, P. citrophthora, P. plurivora, P. tropicalis, P. citricola VII, P. sp. x botryosa-like, P. sp. x meadii-like and P. sp. occultans-like from Clade 2; P. palmivora from Clade 4; P. castaneae and P. heveae from Clade 5; P. chlamydospora and P. sp. forestsoil-like from Clade 6; P. cinnamomi (Pc), P. parvispora, P. attenuata nom. prov., P. flexuosa nom. prov., P. formosa nom. prov., P. intricata nom. prov., P. x incrassata nom. prov. and P. x heterohybrida nom. prov. from Clade 7; P. sp. palustris and five new hybrid species from Clade 9. The A1 mating type of Pc was widespread in both montane and lowland forests and rarely associated with disease, whereas the A2 mating type was limited to lowland forests and in some cases causing severe dieback. Most other Phytophthora species were not associated with obvious disease symptoms. It is concluded that (i) Taiwan is within the centre of origin of most Phytophthora taxa found, (ii) Pc A2 is an introduced invasive pathogen, and (iii) interspecific hybridizations play a major role in speciation and species radiations in diverse natural ecosystems.
- Diversity of Phytophthora species in Valdivian rainforests and association with severe dieback symptomsPublication . Jung, Thomas; Durán, Alvaro; Stowasser, Eugenio Sanfuentes von; Schena, Leonardo; Mosca, Saveria; Fajardo, Sebastian; González, Mariela; Navarro Ortega, Angella D.; Bakonyi, Jozsef; Seress, Diana; Michal Tomšovský; Cravador, Alfredo; Maia, Cristiana; Marilia Horta Jung; Horta Jung, Marília; Jung, Thomas; Cravador, AlfredoThe Valdivian rainforest, one of the global hotspots of biodiversity, is a temperate rainforest originating as a Tertiary relic from the supercontinent Gondwana. In November 2014, a survey of Phytophthora diversity was performed in 13 natural forest stands and 20 forest streams and rivers in two protected areas near Valdivia and in a temperate montane forest in the Concepción area. One planted stand each of the introduced tree species Castanea sativa and Fagus sylvatica were also included. Using baiting assays, eight described species and four previously unknown taxa of Phytophthora were isolated from 86% of the 50 rhizosphere soil samples from seven of the eight tree species sampled in 12 forest stands, and from 20 streams: P. chlamydospora, P. cinnamomi, P. kernoviae, P. lacustris, P. plurivora, P. pseudosyringae, P. ×cambivora, P. ×stagnum, P. valdiviana nom. prov. from Clade 2b, P. madida nom. prov. from Clade 8a, and P. chilensis nom. prov. and P. pseudokernoviae nom. prov. The latter two species are the closest relatives of P. kernoviae from Clade 10. Phytophthora pseudokernoviae nom. prov. was also isolated from necrotic leaves of Drimys winteri. From the Valdivia river, a swarm of three Clade 6 hybrids was recovered. Each hybrid isolate resulted from multiple reticulation events with P. thermophila as maternal and both P. amnicola and P. chlamydospora as paternal parents. In addition, three previously unknown and recently described Nothophytophthora species, N. caduca, N. chlamydospora and N. valdiviana, were isolated from several forest streams. Phytophthora cinnamomi, the most common and widespread species in soils of native forests, was associated with severe dieback of Valdivian rainforest trees, in particular D. winteri, Luma apiculata, Nothofagus dombeyi and the endangered Saxegothaea conspicua. A first pathogenicity test demonstrated high aggressiveness of P. cinnamomi to several native tree species, including N. dombeyi, Blepharocalyx cruckshanksii and Gevuina avellana.
- Early survival of Quercus ilex subspecies from different populations after infections and co-infections by multiple Phytophthora speciesPublication . Corcobado, T.; Miranda-Torres, J. J.; Martin-Garcia, J.; Jung, Thomas; Solla, A.Forests in Europe are threatened by increased diversity of Phytophthora species, but effects on trees of simultaneous infections by Phytophthora and ecological consequences of their coexistence are unknown. This study explored variation in early survival of Quercus ilex to Phytophthora infections and assessed interactions between Phytophthora species when trees were co-infected. Three Phytophthora species (P. cinnamomi, P. gonapodyides and P. quercina), seeds from 16 populations of Q. ilex (ballota and ilex subspecies) and two infection times were used as sources of variation in two experiments. The influence of Phytophthora species, Q. ilex subspecies and populations on plant germination and survival were analysed using generalized linear mixed models and survival analysis techniques. Germination rates were not influenced by Phytophthora spp. (P = 0.194) but by the subspecies and populations of Q. ilex (P < 0.001). In Phytophthora-infested soils, Q. ilex subsp. ilex germinated at higher rates than Q. ilex subsp. ballota. Plant survival was strongly influenced by Phytophthora species (P < 0.001), not by the subspecies and populations of Q. ilex. Seedling mortality was reduced and delayed if a less virulent Phytophthora species infected plants prior to infection by a more virulent Phytophthora species. The results help to explain oak decline syndrome and the lack of natural and artificial regeneration of Q. ilex forests. Lack of interspecific variability of early survival to Phytophthora spp. discourages direct sowing for artificial reforestation programmes. Large, thick seeds, giving plants rapid growth, are advantageous traits when soils are infested with Phytophthora spp.
- High diversity of Phytophthora species in natural ecosystems and nurseries of Portugal: detrimental side effect of plant introductions from the age of discovery to modern globalizationPublication . Horta Jung, Marília; Maia, Cristiana; Mora-Sala, Beatriz; Abad-Campos, Paloma; Schena, Leonardo; Mosca, Saveria; Carella, Giuseppe; Moricca, Salvatore; Nechwatal, Jan; Dionísio, Lídia; Cravador, Alfredo; Jung, ThomasBetween 2010 and 2015, an extensive survey of Phytophthora diversity was performed across Portugal. Baiting and direct isolation tests obtained 48 Phytophthora taxa in 62 of 70 forest stands (89%) from 148 of 302 rhizosphere soil samples (49%) and 25 of 29 tree species (86%), and from bark cankers of Alnus lusitanica and Fagus sylvatica ; from 33 of 34 rivers and forest streams (97%); and in 12 of 13 forest nurseries (92%) from 54 of 87 root ball samples (61%) and 16 of 21 tree species (76%). The 799 Phytophthora isolates belonged to 28 known and three recently described species; one designated and two new non‐hybrid taxa; and five designated and nine new hybrid taxa. The majority, 34 Phytophthora taxa (71%), are introduced aliens in Europe while nine (19%) and five (10%) taxa are of cryptic and native origin, respectively. Phytophthora cinnamomi was the most common species in forests (56%) and forest nurseries (61%). Multiple first records for Portugal and partly Europe of both Phytophthora taxa and tree declines and new host– Phytophthora associations were found. Isolation rates from forest soil differed considerably between declining (65%) and healthy trees (10%), regardless of the tree species. The widespread infestations of nurseries with aggressive wide‐host range pathogens like P . cinnamomi , P . pseudocryptogea , P . × cambivora , P . multivora and P . plurivora , and host‐specific pathogens like P . alticola , P . quercetorum and P . quercina , will inevitably cause their further spread to the wider environment, exacerbating pathogen threats to forest ecosystems and thus weakening their resilience to climatic extremes.
- Invasive forest pathogens in Europe: cross-country variation in public awareness but consistency in policy acceptabilityPublication . Eriksson, Louise; Boberg, Johanna; Cech, Thomas L.; Corcobado, Tamara; Desprez-Loustau, Marie-Laure; Hietala, Ari M.; Horta Jung, Marília; Jung, Thomas; Lehtijarvi, Hatice Tuğba Doğmuş; Oskay, Funda; Slavov, Slavtcho; Solheim, Halvor; Stenlid, Jan; Oliva, JonàsPolitical action can reduce introductions of diseases caused by invasive forest pathogens (IPs) and public support is important for effective prevention. The public's awareness of IP problems and the acceptability of policies aiming to combat these pathogens were surveyed in nine European countries (N = 3469). Although awareness of specific diseases (e.g., ash dieback) varied, problem awareness and policy acceptability were similar across countries. The public was positive towards policies for informational measures and stricter standards for plant production, but less positive towards restricting public access to protected areas. Multilevel models, including individual and country level variables, revealed that media exposure was positively associated with awareness of IP problems, and strengthened the link between problem awareness and policy acceptability. Results suggest that learning about IPs through the media and recognizing the associated problems increase policy acceptability. Overall, the study elaborates on the anthropogenic dimension of diseases caused by IPs.
- Marine oomycetes of the genus halophytophthora harbor viruses related to bunyavirusesPublication . Botella, Leticia; Janoušek, Josef; Maia, Cristiana; Jung, Marilia Horta; Raco, Milica; Jung, ThomasWe investigated the incidence of RNA viruses in a collection of Halophytophthora spp. from estuarine ecosystems in southern Portugal. The first approach to detect the presence of viruses was based on the occurrence of dsRNA, typically considered as a viral molecule in plants and fungi. Two dsRNA-banding patterns (∼7 and 9 kb) were observed in seven of 73 Halophytophthora isolates tested (9.6%). Consequently, two dsRNA-hosting isolates were chosen to perform stranded RNA sequencing for de novo virus sequence assembly. A total of eight putative novel virus species with genomic affinities to members of the order Bunyavirales were detected and their full-length RdRp gene characterized by RACE. Based on the direct partial amplification of their RdRp gene by RT-PCR multiple viral infections occur in both isolates selected. Likewise, the screening of those viruses in the whole collection of Halophytophthora isolates showed that their occurrence is limited to one single Halophytophthora species. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the presence of negative (-) ssRNA viruses in marine oomycetes.
- Multiple new cryptic pathogenic Phytophthora species from Fagaceae forests in Austria, Italy and PortugalPublication . Jung, Thomas; Horta Jung, Marília; Cacciola, Santa Olga; Cech, Thomas; Bakonyi, Jozsef; Seress, Diana; Mosca, Saveria; Schena, Leonardo; Seddaiu, Salvatore; Pane, Antonella; Lio, Gaetano Magnano di San; Maia, Cristiana; Cravador, Alfredo; Franceschini, Antonio; Scanu, BrunoDuring surveys of Phytophthora diversity in natural and semi-natural Fagaceae forests in Austria, Italy and Portugal, four new cryptic species were isolated from rhizosphere soil samples. Multigene phylogeny based on nuclear ITS, beta-tubulin and HSP90 and mitochondrial cox1 and NADH1 gene sequences demonstrated that two species, P. tyrrhenica and P. vulcanica spp. nov., belong to phylogenetic Clade 7a, while the other two species, P. castanetorum and P. tubulina spp. nov., clustered together with P. quercina forming a new clade, named here as Clade 12. All four new species are homothallic and have low optimum and maximum temperatures for growth and very slow growth rates at their respective optimum temperature. They differed from each other and from related species by a unique combination of morphological characters, cardinal temperatures, and growth rates. Pathogenicity of all Phytophthora species to the root system of their respective host species was demonstrated in soil infestation trials.
- Nothophytophthora gen. nov., a new sister genus of Phytophthora from natural and semi-natural ecosystemPublication . Jung, Thomas; Scanu, B.; Bakonyi, J.; Seress, D.; Kovács, G.M.; Durán, A.; Sanfuentes von Stowasser, E.; Schena, L.; Mosca, S.; Thu, P.Q.; Nguyen, C.M.; Fajardo, S.; González, M.; Pérez-Sierra, A.; Rees, H.; Cravador, A.; Maia, Cristiana; Horta Jung, MaríliaDuring various surveys of Phytophthora diversity in Europe, Chile and Vietnam slow growing oomycete isolates were obtained from rhizosphere soil samples and small streams in natural and planted forest stands. Phylogenetic analyses of sequences from the nuclear ITS, LSU, β-tubulin and HSP90 loci and the mitochondrial cox1 and NADH1 genes revealed they belong to six new species of a new genus, officially described here as Nothophytophthora gen. nov., which clustered as sister group to Phytophthora. Nothophytophthora species share numerous morphological characters with Phytophthora: persistent (all Nothophytophthora spp.) and caducous (N. caduca, N. chlamydospora, N. valdiviana, N. vietnamensis) sporangia with variable shapes, internal differentiation of zoospores and internal, nested and extended (N. caduca, N. chlamydospora) and external (all Nothophytophthora spp.) sporangial proliferation; smooth-walled oogonia with amphigynous (N. amphigynosa) and paragynous (N. amphigynosa, N. intricata, N. vietnamensis) attachment of the antheridia; chlamydospores (N. chlamydospora) and hyphal swellings. Main differing features of the new genus are the presence of a conspicuous, opaque plug inside the sporangiophore close to the base of most mature sporangia in all known Nothophytophthora species and intraspecific co-occurrence of caducity and non-papillate sporangia with internal nested and extended proliferation in several Nothophytophthora species. Comparisons of morphological structures of both genera allow hypotheses about the morphology and ecology of their common ancestor which are discussed. Production of caducous sporangia by N. caduca, N. chlamydospora and N. valdiviana from Valdivian rainforests and N. vietnamensis from a mountain forest in Vietnam suggests a partially aerial lifestyle as adaptation to these humid habitats. Presence of tree dieback in all forests from which Nothophytophthora spp. were recovered and partial sporangial caducity of several Nothophytophthora species indicate a pathogenic rather than a saprophytic lifestyle. Isolation tests from symptomatic plant tissues in these forests and pathogenicity tests are urgently required to clarify the lifestyle of the six Nothophytophthora species.
- Oomycota species associated with deciduous and coniferous seedlings in forest tree nurseries of Western TurkeyPublication . Lehtijarvi, A.; Kaya, A. G. Aday; Woodward, S.; Jung, Thomas; Lehtijarvi, H. T. DogmusOccurrence and pathogenicity of Oomycota species causing root rot were investigated in 10 forest tree nurseries in western Turkey. Soil samples (129 in total) taken from the rhizosphere of symptomatic seedlings were baited for Oomycota using young leaves of Quercus suber, Rhododendron simsii and R.ponticum. Oomycota (178 isolates) were obtained by culturing on selective media, and identified using morphological methods followed by PCR and sequencing of the ITS rDNA and cox1 regions. Phytophthora aff. cactorum, P.citricola sensu lato, P.crassamura, P.syringae, Pythium aphanidermatum, Py.intermedium, Py.irregulare, Py.ultimum and Phytopythium vexans were common amongst the isolates. The highest diversity of Oomycota was found in the forest nurseries at Adapazar-Hendek and zmir-Torbal. Pathogenicity tests showed that the isolates caused lesions on a range of host plants. The importance of these nursery infections in transferring potentially damaging oomycete species to Turkish forests is discussed.