卵形鲳鯵对刺激隐核虫的免疫应答和免疫保护研究

用刺激隐核虫(Cryptocaryon irritans)的幼虫对卵形鲳鯵(Trachinotus ovatus)进行腹腔注射和体表感染,然后每隔一周用阻动试验(Immobilization assay)检测免疫鱼的抗血清和皮肤培养液对刺激隐核虫幼虫的阻动效价,在第14周中,分别用亚致死剂量和致死剂量的刺激隐核虫幼虫对免疫鱼攻毒以检测所产生的免疫保护力。实验结果显示:两种免疫方法都能让卵形鲳鯵的血清和皮肤生成阻动刺激隐核虫幼虫的特异性抗体,并能使被免疫鱼获得明显的免疫保护,但是体表感染免疫组的血清和皮肤培养液的阻动效价都要比腹腔注射免疫组高,所获得的免疫保护力也更强。同时还发现,免疫鱼血清和皮肤培养液中的抗体存在明显的差异:两者的最初生成时间、达到峰值的时间、变化规律以及阻动效价等都不一致。因此,我们推测鱼类的系统免疫应答和皮肤黏膜免疫应答有可能是相互独立的,或者是不同步的。鱼类的体液免疫应答,特别是黏膜免疫应答对抵御刺激隐核虫的感染起了重要的作用,采用刺激隐核虫虫体疫苗可能成为预防海水鱼类白点病的一种选择。       

基于不同饲料的洋虫水提液对小鼠的抗衰老作用

为了评价洋虫Martianus dermestoides成虫和幼虫水提液的抗衰老作用,用高级饲料红花、枸杞、大枣、核桃仁的混合饲料)、大米、麦麸饲料饲养洋虫成虫和幼虫,并用幼虫水提液对D-半乳糖致衰老小鼠灌胃, 测定小鼠血清中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、 谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)和过氧化氢酶（CAT)的活力及丙二醛（MDA)含量。结果表明：3种饲料饲养的洋虫成虫水提液均能提高小鼠血清中SOD,GSH-Px和CAT活力(P<0.05或P<0.01),且显著降低MDA含量(P<0.05);高级饲料组作用优于大米及麦麸饲料组,但三者差异不显著。高级饲料饲养组,其幼虫水提液对小鼠血清中SOD和CAT活力作用显著强于成虫水提液（P<0.05);对GSH-Px活力及MDA含量影响差异不显著。揭示洋虫成虫和幼虫水提液均有一定的抗氧化作用,是一种有效的抗衰老保健食品,且幼虫抗氧化作用优于成虫,饲料种类对洋虫的抗氧化作用无显著影响。     

卵形鲳鲹对刺激隐虫的免疫应答和免疫保护研究

用刺激隐核虫(Cryptocaryon irritans)的幼虫对卵形鲳NFDA8(Trachinotus ovatus)进行腹腔注射和体表感染,然后每隔一周用阻动试验(Immobilization assay)检测免疫鱼的抗血清和皮肤培养液对刺激隐核虫幼虫的阻动效价,在第14周中,分别用亚致死剂量和致死剂量的刺激隐核虫幼虫对免疫鱼攻毒以检测所产生的免疫保护力.实验结果显示:两种免疫方法都能让卵形鲳鲹的血清和皮肤生成阻动刺激隐核虫幼虫的特异性抗体,并能使被免疫鱼获得明显的免疫保护,但是体表感染免疫组的血清和皮肤培养液的阻动效价都要比腹腔注射免疫组高,所获得的免疫保护力也更强.同时还发现,免疫鱼血清和皮肤培养液中的抗体存在明显的差异:两者的最初生成时间、达到峰值的时间、变化规律以及阻动效价等都不一致.因此,我们推测鱼类的系统免疫应答和皮肤黏膜免疫应答有可能是相互独立的,或者是不同步的.鱼类的体液免疫应答,特别是黏膜免疫应答对抵御刺激隐核虫的感染起了重要的作用,采用刺激隐核虫虫体疫苗可能成为预防海水鱼类白点病的一种选择.     

大黄素、维生素C及其配伍对团头鲂抗拥挤胁迫的影响

选取1200尾健康的团头鲂(Megalobrama amblycephala Yih),体重为(133.44±2.11)g,随机分成4组,其中1组为对照组,投喂基础日粮(含50.3 mg/kg维生素C,以L-抗坏血酸-2-多聚磷酸酯为Vc源),另外3组为试验组,投喂饲料是在基础日粮中分别添加60 mg/kg大黄素、700 mg/kg Vc、60 mg/kg大黄素+700 mg/kg Vc。饲养60d后,从各池中取25尾规格基本一致的鱼,进行连续48h的拥挤胁迫(100 g/L)实验,分别于0h、12h、24h、48h取样分析团头鲂血液和肝脏的生化指标以及肝脏两种HSP70s mRNA的表达水平,并统计各组鱼的累积死亡率。结果表明,在拥挤胁迫前,与对照组相比,大黄素、Vc组显著提高了团头鲂血清总蛋白(TP)、溶菌酶(LSZ)和碱性磷酸酶(AKP)的水平,肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性和诱导型HSP70 mRNA的表达水平,降低了血清皮质醇(COR)、甘油三酯(TG)以及肝脏丙二醛(MDA)的含量(P<0.05),且大黄素组还显著提高了肝脏过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性(P<0.05);配伍组虽然血清TP、LSZ以及肝脏HSP70 mRNA的水平显著升高,肝脏MDA的含量也显著降低(P<0.05),但均未表现出协同增效作用。在拥挤胁迫后,与对照组相比,大黄素、Vc组不同程度地提高了团头鲂血清TP和AKP的水平,肝脏SOD和CAT的活性以及HSC70和HSP70 mRNAs的表达水平,降低了血清COR、葡萄糖(GLU)、谷丙转氨酶(GPT)、谷草转氨酶(GOT)、TG以及肝脏MDA的水平,而LSZ活性表现为先下降后升高;在配伍组中,这些指标虽然有类似以上的变化趋势,但大多差异不显著(P>0.05),且同样未表现出协同增效作用。统计表明,大黄素和Vc组鱼的累积死亡率在拥挤胁迫24h、48h均显著低于对照组(P<0.05),而配伍组与对照组的差异均不显著(P>0.05)。由此可见,在基础日粮中添加大黄素60 mg/kg或Vc 700 mg/kg,可提高团头鲂的非特异性免疫力、抗氧化能力以及两种HSP70s mRNA的表达水平,增强鱼体的抗应激能力。二者配伍则效果不佳,其相互作用的机理还有待于进一步研究。     

卵形鲳鲹对刺激隐核虫的免疫应答和免疫保护研究

用刺激隐核虫（Cryptocaryon irritans）的幼虫对卵形鲳鲹（Trachinotus ovatus）进行腹腔注射和体表感染,然后每隔1周用阻动试验（Immobilization assay）检测免疫鱼的抗血清和皮肤培养液对激刺隐核虫幼虫的阻动效价,在第14周,分别用亚致死剂量和致死剂量的刺激隐核虫幼虫对免疫鱼攻毒以检测所产生的免疫保护力。实验结果显示：两种免疫方法都能让卵形鲳鲹的血清和皮肤生成阻动刺激隐核虫幼虫的特异性抗体,并能使被免疫鱼获得明显的免疫保护,但是体表感染免疫组的血清和皮肤培养液的阻动效价都要比腹腔注射免疫组高,所获得的免疫保护力也更强。同时还发现,免疫鱼血清和皮肤培养液中的抗体存在明显的差异：两者的最初生成时间、达到峰值的时间、变化规律以及阻动效价等都不一致。因此,我们推测鱼类的系统免疫应答和皮肤粘膜免疫应答有可能是相互独立的,或者是不同步的。鱼类的体液免疫应答,特别是粘膜免疫应答对抵御刺激隐核虫的感染起了重要的作用,采用刺激隐核虫虫体疫苗可能成为预防海水鱼类白点病的一种选择。     

茚虫威亚致死浓度对茚虫威敏感性降低的棉铃虫生物学参数及解毒酶活性的影响

【目的】本研究旨在明确茚虫威亚致死浓度对茚虫威敏感性降低的棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera生物学参数及解毒酶活性的影响,以科学有效防治这一害虫,避免其对茚虫威的抗性快速发展。【方法】采用浸叶法测定了茚虫威对棉铃虫茚虫威抗性汰选种群(TP)及其同源对照种群(CP)3龄幼虫的毒力;用两性生命表分析LC₂₀浓度茚虫威对TP种群当代(F₀)生命表参数的影响,并测定了LC₂₀浓度茚虫威处理48 h后CP和TP种群棉铃虫3龄幼虫体内解毒酶［多功能氧化酶(MFO)、羧酸酯酶(CarE)和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)］及乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)的活性。【结果】茚虫威对棉铃虫CP种群和TP种群3龄幼虫的LC₂₀分别为2.27和9.91 mg/L。LC₂₀茚虫威处理TP种群后,48 h的生长量、化蛹率、羽化率和成虫畸形率均显著低于未用药对照,而特定年龄生命期望值e_xj高于未用药对照;TP种群棉铃虫3龄幼虫体内GST和MFO活性与CP种群相比显著升高,CarE活性显著降低。【结论】本研究结果表明棉铃虫TP种群在LC₂₀浓度茚虫威胁迫下存在明显的生长与繁殖不利性,同时对其也产生了适应能力。LC₂₀浓度茚虫威处理后,棉铃虫TP种群的GST和MFO活性被显著诱导,说明这两种酶可能与棉铃虫对茚虫威产生抗药性密切相关;而CarE活性被显著抑制,说明该酶可能参与了茚虫威转化成N-脱甲氧羰基代谢物(DCJW)的活化过程。     

日光照周期对大菱鲆幼鱼摄食、消化酶活力与血清激素含量的影响

研究了4种光照周期[24L﹕0D(D1)、16L﹕8D(D2)、8L﹕16D(D3)和0L﹕24D(D4)]对体重(30.5±2.0) g大菱鲆Scophthalmus maximus L.幼鱼20h (8:00am—4:00am)内摄食、消化酶活力、血清激素含量的影响。结果显示: (1)实验鱼的摄食率随光照时间的缩短而降低; D1组实验鱼每隔8h出现摄食高峰, 其他组均在8:00am及4:00pm出现摄食高峰。(2)D1、D2和D3组在12:00am和8:00pm出现肠道蛋白酶及淀粉酶活力峰值, 脂肪酶活力显著高于D4组(P<0.05)。(3)各组8:00am至8:00pm生长激素(GH)含量无显著变化, D1组4:00am时显著高于其他组(P<0.05), D4组0:00am及4:00am显著低于其他组(P<0.05); D1、D2和D3组初次摄食8h内皮质醇(COR)含量无显著变化, 8h后先升高后降低, D4组COR含量先升高后降低, 8:00pm时达到最高; D1和D2组0:00am时去甲肾上腺素(NE)含量显著高于其他组(P<0.05), D4组8:00pm时显著低于其他组(P<0.05); D2组8:00am及12:00am时三碘甲状原氨酸(T3)含量显著高于其他组(P<0.05), D4组8:00pm时显著低于其他组, 0:00am时显著高于其他组(P<0.05), D2和D3组4:00am显著低于D1和D4组(P<0.05), 各组T3最高值均出现在8:00pm。在实验条件下, 光照周期影响了大菱鲆幼鱼摄食、消化酶活力及血清激素含量。在此光照强度下, 大菱鲆养殖中以8—16h光照周期、日投喂2次为宜。     

黄颡前驼形线虫发生和成熟的季节动态

报道了寄生于黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)胃、肠中的黄颡前驼形线虫(Procamallanus fulvidraconis)的成熟和感染丰度的季节动态。从2001年2月到2002年7月的18个月中,对来自于湖北省梁子湖的900尾黄颡鱼进行了调查,结果表明:该线虫的感染率除在2002年1月比较低(32%)外,其他月份都在90%以上,且没有显著的季节性变化(G=16.9620.0517=27.58);平均丰度也是在2002年1月较低(0.46),其他月份都高于6.32,但感染丰度表现出显著的季节性变化(F=12.58>F0.0117,882=1.98)。在对黄颡前驼形线虫雌虫成虫的三个阶段(成熟期、怀卵期和怀幼期)和雄虫成虫的季节变化分析中发现:该线虫的生命周期为一周年;处于成熟期的雌虫在2-3月达到高峰,怀卵期雌虫在5-7月达到高峰,怀幼期雌虫则在6-9月达到高峰。因此推测:雌虫从第一期幼虫发育到成熟期(显隐前期)可能需要5-6个月,成熟期到怀卵期需要4-5个月,怀卵期到怀幼期需要1-2个月;第一期幼虫的释放应该在秋季,第三期幼虫的感染主要发生在晚冬和早春。本文还讨论了引起黄颡前驼形线虫在黄颡鱼中高感染率和高感染强度的原因。       

银耳多糖对D-半乳糖致衰老模型小鼠抗氧化能力的影响

研究了银耳多糖对D-半乳糖致衰老模型小鼠抗氧化能力影响。将ICR小鼠腹腔注射D-半乳糖建立衰老模型,同时给予不同剂量的银耳多糖(TP),8周后获取小鼠心、脑,测定超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力以及丙二醛(MDA)含量的差异。结果:TP各剂量组SOD和GSH-Px活力高于对照组(P<0.05),且高剂量组SOD、GSH-Px活力均高于低剂量和中剂量组(P<0.05);中、高剂量TP组MDA含量低于对照组(P<0.05)且高剂量组MDA含量低于低剂量组(P<0.05)。结论:银耳多糖对于衰老模型小鼠抗氧化能力具有一定正性调节作用。     

棉铃虫对茚虫威的抗性机理:PBO,DEF和DEM的增效作用及解毒酶活性

【目的】本研究旨在明确不同棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera种群对茚虫威的抗性水平及抗性机理,以科学有效防治这一害虫,避免其对茚虫威的抗性快速发展。【方法】采用浸叶法测定了棉铃虫不同种群,即相对敏感种群(CP)、汰选种群(TP)、沂水种群(YP)(采自山东沂水)和邯郸种群(HP)(采自河北邯郸)3龄幼虫对茚虫威抗性水平及增效醚(PBO)、脱叶磷(DEF)、顺丁烯二酸二乙酯(DEM)对茚虫威的增效作用;并测定了不同种群棉铃虫3龄幼虫体内多功能氧化酶(MFO)、羧酸酯酶(CarE)和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)3种解毒酶及乙酰胆碱酯酶(ACh E)活性。【结果】CP种群对茚虫威敏感,TP,YP及HP种群对茚虫威的抗性倍数(resistence ratio,RR)分别为4.36,8.06和15.34倍,分别表现为敏感性降低、低水平抗性和中等水平抗性。在TP种群中,当棉铃虫3龄幼虫取食3种增效剂处理的叶片时,在0,6和12 h处理时间内增效作用随时间而升高,且PBO和DEF对茚虫威的增效作用优于DEM。增效剂PBO,DEF和DEM饲喂棉铃虫3龄幼虫12 h后对HP种群的增效倍数分别为3.86,2.52和4.57倍,对CP种群增效作用分别为1.11,0.52和0.91倍。酶活力对比研究发现,HP种群的棉铃虫MFO,CarE和GST活性显著高于CP种群和TP种群,YP种群的棉铃虫MFO和CarE活性显著高于CP种群,CarE活性显著低于HP种群,但是ACh E活性在棉铃虫种群间差异不显著。【结论】结果提示,当达到中等抗性水平时,MFO,CarE和GST活性显著升高与棉铃虫对茚虫威的抗性有关,而代谢抑制剂PBO,DEF和DEM对茚虫威有明显的增效作用。     

Identification key for European strand-forming house-rot fungi

An identification key for 20 common strand-forming indoor wood decay fungi is given. The key is based on observations of material from affected buildings and on wood samples that have been incubated in the laboratory. The key is with macro- and microscopic photographs.     

Semicircular canal system in early primates

Mammals with more rapid and agile locomotion have larger semicircular canals relative to body mass than species that move more slowly. Measurements of semicircular canals in extant mammals with known locomotor behaviours can provide a basis for testing hypotheses about locomotion in fossil primates that is independent of postcranial remains, and a means of reconstructing locomotor behaviour in species known only from cranial material. Semicircular canal radii were measured using ultra high resolution X-ray CT data for 9 stem primates (“plesiadapiforms”; n = 11), 7 adapoids (n = 12), 4 omomyoids (n = 5), and the possible omomyoid Rooneyia viejaensis (n = 1). These were compared with a modern sample (210 species including 91 primates) with known locomotor behaviours. The predicted locomotor agilities for extinct primates generally follow expectations based on known postcrania for those taxa. “Plesiadapiforms” and adapids have relatively small semicircular canals, suggesting they practiced less agile locomotion than other fossil primates in the sample, which is consistent with reconstructions of them as less specialized for leaping. The derived notharctid adapoids (excluding Cantius) and all omomyoids sampled have relatively larger semicircular canals, suggesting that they were more agile, with Microchoerus in particular being reconstructed as having had very jerky locomotion with relatively high magnitude accelerations of the head. Rooneyia viejaensis is reconstructed as having been similarly agile to omomyids and derived notharctid adapoids, which suggests that when postcranial material is found for this species it will exhibit features for some leaping behaviour, or for a locomotor mode requiring a similar degree of agility.     

Analysis of the molecular cascade responsible for mesodermal limb chondrogenesis: Sox genes and BMP signaling

Here, we have studied how Sox genes and BMP signaling are functionally coupled during limb chondrogenesis. Using the experimental model of TGFbeta1-induced interdigital digits, we dissect the sequence of morphological and molecular events during in vivo chondrogenesis. Our results show that Sox8 and Sox9 are the most precocious markers of limb cartilage, and their induction is independent and precedes the activation of BMP signaling. Sox10 appears also to cooperate with Sox9 and Sox8 in the establishment of the digit cartilages. In addition, we show that experimental induction of Sox gene expression in the interdigital mesoderm is accompanied by loss of the apoptotic response to exogenous BMPs. L-Sox5 and Sox6 are respectively induced coincident and after the expression of Bmpr1b in the prechondrogenic aggregate, and their activation correlates with the induction of Type II Collagen and Aggrecan genes in the differentiating cartilages. The expression of Bmpr1b precedes the appearance of morphological changes in the prechondrogenic aggregate and establishes a landmark from which the maintenance of the expression of all Sox genes and the progress of cartilage differentiation becomes dependent on BMPs. Moreover, we show that Ventroptin precedes Noggin in the modulation of BMP activity in the developing cartilages. In summary, our findings suggest that Sox8, Sox9, and Sox10 have a cooperative function conferring chondrogenic competence to limb mesoderm in response to BMP signals. In turn, BMPs in concert with Sox9, Sox6, and L-Sox5 would be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the cartilage differentiation program.     

Parasites, emerging disease and wildlife conservation

In this review some emerging issues of parasite infections in wildlife, particularly in Australia, are considered. We discuss the importance of understanding parasite biodiversity in wildlife in terms of conservation, the role of wildlife as reservoirs of parasite infection, and the role of parasites within the broader context of the ecosystem. Using a number of parasite species, the value of undertaking longitudinal surveillance in natural systems using non-invasive sampling and molecular tools to characterise infectious agents is illustrated in terms of wildlife health, parasite biodiversity and ecology.     

Phylogenetic relationships among Southeast Asian climbing bamboos (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) and the Bambusa complex

A phylogenetic analysis of Bambusa and allies based on the plastid DNA non-coding regions rps16-trnQ, trnC-rpoB, trnH-psbA and trnD-T, and a partial nuclear GBSSI gene, was carried out. This included representatives from all four Bambusa subgenera (including type species), a group of segregate Southeast Asian genera distinctive by their climbing–scrambling culms (Dinochloa, Holttumochloa, Kinabaluchloa, Maclurochloa, Soejatmia, Sphaerobambos), and two other Bambusinae genera (Dendrocalamus, Gigantochloa). The results do not support the present subgeneric classification of Bambusa. The climbing Southeast Asian genera, all of which include species previously placed in Bambusa, are distinct from the “core Bambusa group” (type species and alliance) and the Bambusa complex generally.     

Zebrafish msxB, msxC and msxE function together to refine the neural-nonneural border and regulate cranial placodes and neural crest development

The zebrafish muscle segment homeobox genes msxB, msxC and msxE are expressed in partially overlapping domains in the neural crest and preplacodal ectoderm. We examined the roles of these msx genes in early development. Disrupting individual msx genes causes modest variable defects, whereas disrupting all three produces a reproducible severe phenotype, suggesting functional redundancy. Neural crest differentiation is blocked at an early stage. Preplacodal development begins normally, but placodes arising from the msx expression domain later show elevated apoptosis and are reduced in size. Cell proliferation is normal in these tissues. Unexpectedly, Msx-deficient embryos become ventralized by late gastrulation whereas misexpression of msxB dorsalizes the embryo. These effects appear to involve Distal-less (Dlx) protein activity, as loss of dlx3b and dlx4b suppresses ventralization in Msx-depleted embryos. At the same time, Msx-depletion restores normal preplacodal gene expression to dlx3b-dlx4b mutants. These data suggest that mutual antagonism between Msx and Dlx proteins achieves a balance of function required for normal preplacodal differentiation and placement of the neural-nonneural border.     

Gene expression in spider appendages reveals reversal of exd/hth spatial specificity, altered leg gap gene dynamics, and suggests divergent distal morphogen signaling

Leg development in Drosophila has been studied in much detail. However, Drosophila limbs form in the larva as imaginal discs and not during embryogenesis as in most other arthropods. Here, we analyze appendage genes in the spider Cupiennius salei and the beetle Tribolium castaneum. Differences in decapentaplegic (dpp) expression suggest a different mode of distal morphogen signaling suitable for the specific geometry of growing limb buds. Also, expression of the proximal genes homothorax (hth) and extradenticle (exd) is significantly altered: in the spider, exd is restricted to the proximal leg and hth expression extends distally, while in insects, exd is expressed in the entire leg and hth is restricted to proximal parts. This reversal of spatial specificity demonstrates an evolutionary shift, which is nevertheless compatible with a conserved role of this gene pair as instructor of proximal fate. Different expression dynamics of dachshund and Distal-less point to modifications in the regulation of the leg gap gene system. We comment on the significance of this finding for attempts to homologize leg segments in different arthropod classes. Comparison of the expression profiles of H15 and optomotor-blind to the Drosophila patterns suggests modifications also in the dorsal-ventral patterning system of the legs. Together, our results suggest alterations in many components of the leg developmental system, namely proximal-distal and dorsal-ventral patterning, and leg segmentation. Thus, the leg developmental system exhibits a propensity to evolutionary change, which probably forms the basis for the impressive diversity of arthropod leg morphologies.     

Fate map of the distal portion of Drosophila proboscis as inferred from the expression and mutations of basic patterning genes

The late-third-instar labial disc is comprised of two disc-proper cell layers, one representing mainly the ventral half of the anterior compartment (L-layer) and the other, the dorsal half of the anterior compartment and most, if not all, of the posterior compartment (M-layer). In the L-layer, Distal-less represses homothorax whereas no Distal-less-dependent homothorax repression occurs in the M-layer where Distal-less is coexpressed with homothorax. In wild-type labial discs, clawless, one of the two homeobox genes expressed in distal cells receiving maximum (Decapentaplegic+Wingless) signaling activity in leg and antennal discs, is specifically repressed by proboscipedia. A fate map, inferred from data on basic patterning gene expression in larval and pupal stages and mutant phenotypes, indicates the inner surface of the labial palpus, which includes the pseudotracheal region, to be a derivative of the distal portion of the M-layer expressing wingless, patched, Distal-less and homothorax. The outer surface of the labial palpus with more than 30 taste bristles derives from an L-layer area consisting of dorsal portions of the anterior and posterior compartments, each expressing Distal-less. Our analysis also indicates that, in adults and pupae, the anterior-posterior boundary, dividing roughly equally the outer surface of the distiproboscis, runs along the outer circumference of the inner surface of distiproboscis.     

Relationships of plant pathogenic enterobacteria based on partial atpD, carA, and recA as individual and concatenated nucleotide and peptide sequences

Relationships of the genera in the Enterobacteriaceae containing plant pathogenic species: Brenneria, Dickeya, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Pantoea, Pectobacterium, and Samsonia, were investigated by comparison of their nucleotide and peptide sequences of atpD, carA, recA, and the concatenated sequences. Erwinia spp. and Pantoea spp., with Pectobacterium cypripedii, formed a group distinct from other pathogenic taxa. Pectobacterium, Brenneria, Dickeya, and Samsonia formed a contiguous clade. Samsonia was usually concurrent with Pectobacterium. Most Brenneria were also close to Pectobacterium, suggesting that these three taxa might be better represented as a single genus. Brenneria quercina was not closely associated with other members of this genus and may represent a separate genus. The sequences representing Dickeya were distinct, further supporting the generic status of the taxon. Plant pathogenic Enterobacter spp. display such sequence variability that few definite conclusions as to their specific placement could be made. These data highlight the difficulty of drawing reliable and robust taxonomic conclusions based on comparative analysis of sequence data without some independent criterion to calibrate a scale for diversity.