Natural occurrence of ampelomyces intracellular mycoparasites in mycelia of powdery mildew fungi

This is the first extensive investigation that quantifies natural mycoparasitic relationships in the phyllosphere. The presence of Ampelomyces spp. was quantified in naturally occurring powdery mildew fungi collected in Hungary and Romania between 1992 and 1995. A total of 570 samples was studied representing 27 species (nine genera) of the Erysiphaceae infecting 41 host plant genera. The incidence of Ampelomyces spp., determined as the proportion of samples in which intracellular pycnidia were present, varied between 4.3 and 68.8% in the host fungal genera studied. The intensity of mycoparasitism, defined as a percentage of the powdery mildew mycelia parasitized by Ampelomyces , ranged from 0.15 to 65%. Both the incidence and the intensity of mycoparasitism showed the lowest values in Blumeria graminis (DC.) Speer collected from wild and cultivated monocotyledons, while the highest values were found in Arthrocladiella mougeotii (Lév.) Vassilkov infecting Lycium halimifolium Mill. plants. The paper reports for the first time the natural occurrence of Ampelomyces in Sawadaea bicornis (Wallr.:Fr.) Homma on maple.     

青岛崂山的重寄生菌白粉寄生孢及其寄主多样性

2005－2007年从青岛崂山的16科30属35种植物上采集了143份白粉菌样品,经形态鉴定分属于7属22种。其中40份样品中检测到白粉寄生孢Ampelomyces quisqualis,其寄主植物属于8科14属15种,其寄主真菌属于7属10种白粉菌。统计分析发现,多孢穆氏节丝壳上白粉寄生孢的发生率和重寄生强度均为最高;群落组成分析发现,棕丝单囊壳为白粉寄生孢寄主真菌中的优势种,其重要值为89.22%;菊科为白粉寄生孢寄主植物中的优势科,其重要值为97.85%。     

Genetic variability and mycohost association of Ampelomyces quisqualis isolates inferred from phylogenetic analyses of ITS rDNA and actin gene sequences

Ampelomyces quisqualis complex is well known as the most common and widespread hyperparasite of the family Erysiphaceae, the cause of powdery mildew diseases. As commercial biopesticide products it is widely used to control the disease in field and plastic houses. Although genetic diversity within Ampelomyces isolates has been previously recognized, a single name A. quisqualis is still applied to all pycnidial intracellular hyperparasites of powdery mildew fungi. In this study, the phylogenetic relationships among Ampelomyces isolates originating from various powdery mildew fungi in Korea were inferred from Bayesian and maximum parsimony analyses of the sequences of ITS rDNA region and actin gene. In the phylogenetic trees, the Ampelomyces isolates could be divided into four distinct groups with high sequence divergences in both regions. The largest group, Clade 1, mostly accommodated Ampelomyces isolates originating from the mycohost Podosphaera spp. (sect. Sphaerotheca). Clade 2 comprised isolates from several genera of powdery mildews, Golovinomyces, Erysiphe (sect. Erysiphe), Arthrocladiella, and Phyllactinia, and was further divided into two subclades. An isolate obtained from Podosphaera (sect. Sphaerotheca) pannosa was clustered into Clade 3, with those from powdery mildews infecting rosaceous hosts. The mycohosts of Ampelomyces isolates in Clade 4 mostly consisted of species of Erysiphe (sect. Erysiphe, sect. Microsphaera, and sect. Uncinula). The present phylogenetic study demonstrates that Ampelomyces hyperparasite is indeed an assemblage of several distinct lineages rather than a sole species. Although the correlation between Ampelomyces isolates and their mycohosts is not obviously clear, the isolates show not only some degree of host specialization but also adaptation to their mycohosts during the evolution of the hyperparasite.     

Phoma glomerata as a mycoparasite of powdery mildew

Ampelomyces and Phoma species are frequently confused with each other. Isolates previously attributed to the genus Ampelomyces were shown to be Phoma isolates through studies of their morphology and life cycle and ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region 1 sequence analysis. Phoma glomerata can colonize and suppress development of powdery mildew on oak and may have utility as a mycoparasitic agent.     

香薷白粉病菌及其重寄生菌的分离鉴定

对采自中国长春香薷白粉病菌进行系统观察和测量,鉴定其为本间白粉菌(Erysiphe hommae Braun),同时发现了重寄生菌——白粉寄生孢（Ampelomyces quisqualis Ces.）,并对重寄生茵的叶部寄生特征及培养特征进行了描述.室内检测结果表明,重寄生菌的重寄生强度较高,可抑制白粉病的发生.     

First records of the powdery mildews <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe platani</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. alphitoides</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ailanthus altissima</Emphasis> reveal host jumps independent of host phylogeny

The tree-of-heaven Ailanthus altissima (family Simaroubaceae, order Sapindales) is one of the most invasive neophytes in Europe. The tree originated in China and became invasive worldwide in areas with Mediterranean to temperate climates. As known from other invasive plants, only a few pathogens have been reported from A. altissima in Europe, and, to date, powdery mildews on it have been unknown in the European region. Recently, two powdery mildews were found on A. altissima during a survey of neomycetes on non-native plants in Switzerland. Because they did not fit with any of the species known to occur on Simaroubaceae in Asia, they were identified by DNA barcoding using sequences of the ITS region of the n-rDNA, revealing them to be the powdery mildews of plane and oak trees, Erysiphe platani and E. alphitoides. This is the first record of E. platani on a host outside the genus Platanus and its family Platanaceae, as well as its order Proteales. In contrast, E. alphitoides has been reported to occur on several host families and orders. Host jumps over great phylogenetic distances—such as across plant families and orders—appear to be quite common in biogeographically novel associations between Erysiphales species and plants. The consequences of such host jumps for identity and taxonomic placement of species are discussed here. It is further questioned whether both pathogens are usable as biological control agents against the tree-of-heaven.     

Light and electronic observations on Henneguya ghaffari (Myxosporea,Bivalvulida) infecting the gills and intestine of Nile perch Lates niloticus (Pisces: Teleostei) from Chad and Senegal

Henneguya ghaffari Ali, 1999, described for the first time in Egypt, has been found on gills and intestine of Nile perch Lates niloticus L. from Chad and Senegal (Africa). It formed plasmodia which induced lesions of infected tissues. In fresh state, the spore body was ovoid and its size was 11.07 +/- 0.7 (range 11 to 13) x 7.7 +/- 0.4 (range 7 to 8) microm. The length of the caudal appendages was 44.2 +/- 1.7 (42 to 48) microm. The polar capsules were pyriform, of equal size, with the polar filament showing 4 coils, and measuring 3.17 +/- 0.1 (range 3 to 4) x 2.2 +/- 0.1 (range 1 to 2) microm. The total length of the spore was 55.73 +/- 1.7 (range 53 to 61) microm. At ultrastructural level, our results confirm that in Henneguya species, the sporoplasm is binucleate and the pansporaoblast is disporous.     

金银忍冬白粉菌及其重寄生菌的报道

通过对来自中国青岛金银忍冬的调查,发现一中国新记录种——金银忍冬白粉菌(Erysiphe caprifoli-acearum var. caprifoliacearum)并在其上首次发现重寄生菌——白粉寄生孢(Ampelomyces quisqualis)。根据采集的材料对其进行了详细的形态描述和显微拍照。研究标本保存于青岛农业大学真菌标本室(HMQAU)。     

Redescription of Besnoitia tarandi (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) from the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

Besnoitia tarandi tissue cysts were found in naturally-infected reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) from Finland. Infectivity of its tissue cysts, bradyzoites, and tachyzoites to animals and cell culture was studied. The bradyzoites and tissue cysts were not infectious to out-bred mice, rabbits or gerbils. When fed tissue cysts, neither cats nor dogs excreted oocysts. However, the parasite was lethal to interferon-gamma gene knock out mice irrespective of the route of inoculation. The parasite was grown successfully in African Green Monkey cells from tissues of two reindeer for the first time. Non-dividing, uninucleate tachyzoites from smears from cell cultures were 5.6 x 1.4 microm (4.5-7.4 x 1.0-1.9, n=50) in size. Longitudinally-cut bradyzoites in tissue sections measured 7.4 x 1.3 microm (6.5-7.8 x 1.0-1.6, n=30). Ultrastructurally, tachyzoites and bradyzoites were similar to those in other Besnoitia species, and in particular to parasites described from cattle (Besnoitia besnoiti) and equids (Besnoitia bennetti) in that their bradyzoites lacked enigmatic bodies. Based on comparative analysis of three portions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (the small and large subunits and the first internal transcribed spacer) B. tarandi was found to be more closely related to the other congeners described from ungulates. The parasite was formally redescribed and specimens deposited in the US National Parasite Collection.     

Hepatozoon ursi n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Hepatozoidae) in Japanese black bear (Ursus thibetanus japonicus)

Morphological and genetic features of a new Hepatozoon species, Hepatozoon ursi n. sp., in Japanese black bear (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) were studied. Schizogonic developmental stages were observed in the lungs of Japanese black bears. The schizonts were sub-spherical in shape and 45.7+/-4.6 x 42.7+/-4.5 microm in size. Each mature schizont contained approximately 80-130 merozoites and 0-5 residual bodies. The merozoites were 7.0+/-0.7 x 1.8+/-0.3 microm in size. Intraleukocytic gametocytes were slightly curved, cigar-like in shape and had a beak-like protrusion at one end. The size of the gametocytes was 10.9+/-0.3 x 3.3+/-0.2 microm. The analyses of the18S rRNA gene sequences supported the hypothesis that H. ursi n. sp. is different from other Hepatozoon species. Mature Hepatozoon oocysts were detected in two species of ticks (Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis flava) collected on the bears infected with H. ursi n. sp. Two measured oocysts were 263.2 x 234.0 microm and 331.8 x 231.7 microm, respectively. The oocysts contained approximately 40 and 50 sporocysts, respectively. The sporocysts were sub-spherical in shape and 31.2+/-2.5 x 27.0+/-2.9 microm in size. Each sporocyst contained at least 8-16 sporozoites, with the sporozoites being 12.2+/-1.4 x 3.5+/-0.5 microm in size. H. ursi n. sp. is the first Hepatozoon species recorded from the family Ursidae.     

广西杧果病虫害调查初报

对广西24个市(县)杧果病虫害进行了系统的调查。发现病害有20种,主要为白粉病、炭疽病、细菌性角斑病、蒂腐病等,其中杧果水泡病、杧果畸型病和杧果红点病为国内新发现的杧果病害;发现害虫94种,隶属于8目38科,主要为杧果小齿螟Pseudonoorda minor Munroe、杧果横线尾夜蛾Chlumetia transversa Walker、杧果茶黄蓟马Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood、桔小实蝇Dacus dorsalis Hendel、杧果扁喙叶蝉Idioscopus incertus Baker等。腹足纲有害生物1种。     

A Survey of Plants for Leaf Peroxisomes

Leaves of 10 plant species, 7 with photorespiration (spinach, sunflower, tobacco, pea, wheat, bean, and Swiss chard) and 3 without photorespiration (corn, sugarcane, and pigweed), were surveyed for peroxisomes. The distribution pattern for glycolate oxidase, glyoxylate reductase, catalase, and part of the malate dehydrogenase indicated that these enzymes exist together in this organelle. The peroxisomes were isolated at the interface between layers of 1.8 to 2.3 m sucrose by isopycnic nonlinear sucrose density gradient centrifugation or in 1.95 m sucrose on a linear gradient. Chloroplasts, located by chlorophyll, and mitochondria by cytochrome c oxidase, were in 1.3 to 1.8 m sucrose.In leaf homogenates from the first 7 species with photorespiration, glycolate oxidase activity ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 mumoles x min(-1) x g(-1) wet weight or a specific activity of 0.02 to 0.05 mumole x min(-1) x mg(-1) protein. Glyoxylate reductase activity was comparable with glycolate oxidase. Catalase activity in the homogenates ranged from 4000 to 12,000 mumoles x min(-1) x g(-1) wet weight or 90 to 300 mumoles x min(-1) x mg(-1) protein. Specific activities of malate dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase are also reported. In contrast, homogenates of corn and sugarcane leaves, without photorespiration, had 2 to 5% as much glycolate oxidase, glyoxylate reductase, and catalase activity. These amounts of activity, though lower than in plants with photorespiration, are, nevertheless, substantial.Peroxisomes were detected in leaf homogenates of all plants tested; however, significant yields were obtained only from the first 5 species mentioned above. From spinach and sunflower leaves, a maximum of about 50% of the marker enzyme activities was found to be in these microbodies after homogenization. The specific activity for peroxisomal glycolate oxidase and glyoxylate reductase was about 1 mumole x min(-1) x mg(-1) protein; for catalase. 8000 mumoles x min(-1) x mg(-1) protein, and for malate dehydrogenase, 40 mumoles x min(-1) x mg(-1) protein. Only small to trace amounts of marker enzymes for leaf peroxisomes were recovered on the sucrose gradients from the last 5 species of plants. Bean leaves, with photorespiration, had large amounts of these enzymes (0.57 mumole of glycolate oxidase x min(-1) x g(-1) tissue) in the soluble fraction, but only traces of activity in the peroxisomal fraction. Low peroxisome recovery from certain plants was attributed to particle fragility or loss of protein as well as to small numbers of particles in such plants as corn and sugarcane.Homogenates of pigweed leaves (no photorespiration) contained from one-third to one-half the activity of the glycolate pathway enzymes as found in comparable preparations from spinach leaves which exhibit photorespiration. However, only traces of peroxisomal enzymes were separated by sucrose gradient centrifugation of particles from pigweed. Data from pigweed on the absence of photorespiration yet abundance of enzymes associated with glycolate metabolism is inconsistent with current hypotheses about the mechanism of photorespiration.Most of the catalase and part of the malate dehydrogenase activity was located in the peroxisomes. Contrary to previous reports, the chloroplast fractions from plants with photo-respiration did not contain a concentration of these 2 enzymes, after removal of peroxisomes by isopycnic sucrose gradient centrifugation.     

Species of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in shrews from Alaska, U.S.A., and northeastern Siberia, Russia, with description of two new species

Fecal samples (n = 636) from 10 species of shrews collected in Alaska (n = 540) and northeastern Siberia (n = 96) were examined for the presence of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae). Five distinct oocyst morphotypes were observed. Three types were consistent with oocysts of previously recognized coccidia species from other shrew hosts. These were Eimeria inyoni, E. vagrantis, and Isospora brevicauda, originally described from the inyo shrew (Sorex tenellus), dusky shrew (S. monticolus), and northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda), respectively. We found 5 new host records for E. inyoni, 3 for E. vagrantis, and 3 for I. brevicauda. The 2 additional oocyst morphotypes, both from the tundra shrew (Sorex tundrensis), are putative new species. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria beringiacea n. sp. are subspheroidal, 17.7 x 15.6 microm (14-24 x 13-20 microm) with a length (L)/width (W) ratio of 1.1 (1.0-1.4); these lack a micropyle (M), an oocyst residuum (OR), and a polar granule (PG). Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 10.3 x 6.1 microm (7-14 x 4-8 microm), with a L/W ratio of 1.7 (1.3-2.3) and have a Stieda body (SB), Substieda body (SSB), and sporocyst residuum (SR). Oocysts of Eimeria tundraensis n. sp. are spheroidal to subspheroidal, 24.8 x 23.5 microm (23-26 x 22-25 microm), with a L/W ratio of 1.1 (1.0-1.2); these lack a M and OR, but a single PG is present. Sporocysts are elongate ellipsoidal, 15.4 x 8.3 microm (13-17 x 7-9 microm), with a L/W ratio of 1.9 (1.4-2.1) and have a SB, SSB, and SR.     

五十种植物的染色体计数

<正>本文对种子植物32科44属的50种(包括变种)作了染色体计数观察,其中16种9变种是染色体计数的新记录。     

Eimeria species from the European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis (Reptilia: Testudines), in Galicia (NW Spain), with description of two new species

Parasitological examination of feces from 44 Emys orbicularis from Galicia (NW Spain) revealed the presence of 2 new eimerian species, Eimeria gallaeciaensis sp. n. and E. emydis sp. n., as well as E. mitraria (Laveran and Mesnil, 1902) Doflein, 1909. Oocysts of E. gallaeciaensis n. sp. were found in 20 of 44 (45.4%) turtles and are subspherical to lightly ovoid-ellipsoid, 19.3 x 16.0 (17-22 x 15-18) microm, shape index 1.2 (1.1-1.3), with a smooth, single-layered wall. Micropyle and polar granule are absent, but an oocyst residuum is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoid, 9.7 x 5.1 (9-10 x 5-6) microm, shape index 1.9 (1.7-2.0), each with a sporocyst residuum and a conical Stieda body usually bearing 1-4 short and thin projections. Oocysts of E. emydis n. sp. were found in the feces of 5 of 44 (11.4%) turtles and are ovoid, rarely pear-shaped, 22.6 x 17.0 (20-25 x 15.5-18) microm, shape index 1.3 (1.2-1.5), with a smooth, single-layered wall with a slight thinning at the pointed end. Micropyle and polar granule are absent, and an oocyst residuum is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoid, 11.4 x 6.0 (9-13 x 5-7) microm, shape index 1.9 (1.6-2.2), each with sporocyst residuum and a prominent Stieda body bearing 3-5 club-shaped projections. In addition to the new species described, this is the first report of E. mitraria parasitizing E. orbicularis.     

Fungal root endophyte associations of plants endemic to the Pamir Alay Mountains of Central Asia

The fungal root endophyte associations of 16 species from 12 families of plants endemic to the Pamir Alay Mountains of Central Asia are presented. The plants and soil samples were collected in Zeravshan and Hissar ranges within the central Pamir Alay mountain system. Colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was found in 15 plant species; in 8 species it was of the Arum type and in 4 of the Paris type, while 3 taxa revealed intermediate arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) morphology. AMF colonization was found to be absent only in Matthiola integrifolia, the representative of the Brassicaceae family. The AM status and morphology are reported for the first time for all the species analyzed and for the genera Asyneuma, Clementsia, and Eremostachys. Mycelia of dark septate endophytes (DSE) accompanied the AMF colonization in ten plant species. The frequency of DSE occurrence in the roots was low in all the plants, with the exception of Spiraea baldschuanica. However, in the case of both low and higher occurrence, the percentage of DSE root colonization was low. Moreover, the sporangia of Olpidium spp. were sporadically found inside the root epidermal cells of three plant species. Seven AMF species (Glomeromycota) found in the trap cultures established with soils surrounding roots of the plants being studied were reported for the first time from this region of Asia. Our results provide information that might well be of use to the conservation and restoration programmes of these valuable plant species. The potential application of beneficial root-inhabiting fungi in active plant protection projects of rare, endemic and endangered plants is discussed.     

Description and phylogeny of a new species of Eimeria from double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) near Fort Gaines, Georgia

The renal parasite Eimeria auritusi has caused several mortality events in double-crested cormorants (DCC; Phalacrocorax auritus) in the Midwest and southeastern United States. This parasite has only been detected during large-scale outbreaks, and its presence and prevalence in healthy populations of cormorants is unknown. In this study, 80 DCC were collected from the Chattahoochee River near Fort Gaines, Georgia, and examined for kidney and intestinal coccidia. Eighteen (22.5%) and 56 (70%) of the DCC were positive for E. auritusi and a new species of intestinal Eimeria, respectively. Oocysts of the new intestinal Eimeria species had a thin colorless wall, were ovoid with rare bumps on the outer surface, and measured 17.1 microm +/- 1.5 x 14.7 microm +/- 1.0 (16-18.5 x 13-17), with an average length:width ratio of 1.17 microm (1.03-1.29). A prominent micropyle (4-4.5 microm) was present, and a large oval-to-round polar body (2.5 microm) was located beneath the micropyle. Sporocysts were ovoid and measured 9.6 microm +/- 0.6 x 5.9 microm +/- 0.5 (8.5-10.5 x 5-6.5), with an average length:width ratio of 1.63 (1.3-1.82) with small stieda body present. Amplification and sequencing of a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene indicated that the 2 DCC Eimeria species and 2 Eimeria species from cranes were in a separate group from other Eimeriidae. These data indicate that E. auritusi and this new species of intestinal Eimeria are prevalent in this apparently healthy DCC population. The cause of renal coccidiosis outbreaks in other populations of cormorants is unknown but could be due to crowding or stress during the winter months or some other associated pathogen or immunosuppressor that might predispose individuals to clinical disease.     

Investigation of Nematopsis spp. oocysts in 7 species of bivalves from Chonburi province, Gulf of Thailand

This is the first detailed report of Nematopsis spp. in Thai bivalves. A monthly survey was conducted on 7 species of commercial bivalves from Chonburi province, on the eastern seaboard of Thailand, from November 2000 to November 2001 to investigate the prevalence of the apicomplexan parasite Nematopsis Schneider, 1892. Nematopsis spp. sporozoites were found in the cultivated bivalves Arcuatula arcuatula, Anadara granosa and Perna viridis as well as the locally harvested Paphia undulata. They were not found in Donax faba, Meretrix meretrix or Saccostrea cucullata. Using light microscopy, we were able to identiby 4 oocyst morphotypes of the gregarine Nematopsis spp. Prevalence of Nematopsis spp. during the 13 mo sampling period was highest in A. arcuatula (91.8%; n = 110) and lowest in A. granosa (59.2%; n = 130). The morphology of the oocysts differed between hosts, with an average (x +/- SD) length/width of 16.28 +/- 0.64/12.01 +/- 0.35 microm (n = 50) for A. arcuatula, 16.90 +/- 0.71/12.69 +/- 0.33 microm (n = 50) for A. granosa, 17.61 +/- 0.69/12.72 +/- 0.36 microm (n = 50) for P. viridis, and 11.21 +/- 0.62/8.55 +/- 0.52 microm (n = 50) for P. undulata. Identification of oocysts of these apicomplexan gregarines to species was not attempted. The prevalence of infection in relation to habitat and time of sampling is discussed.