Influence of the water-soluble fraction of petroleum on photosynthesis and chemical defenses in two sympatric seaweeds

In this work, we aimed to evaluate the effect of the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of petroleum on the photosynthesis and chemical defenses of two sympatric members of the brown algal family Dictyotaceae, Dictyota caribaea and Stypopodium zonale. The algae were cultivated in incubator chambers for 8 days in flasks containing the WSF or seawater as a control laboratory cultivation. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence revealed distinct responses between the two species. Stypopodium zonale was less tolerant than D. caribaea as shown by a more intense diminishing of the potential quantum yield of photosystem II (F _v/F _m) as well as by the reduction of the intrinsic photosynthetic capacity observed in parameters obtained from the rapid light curves. Feeding experiments revealed that the WSF reduced strongly the palatability of the lipophilic extracts from both algae to the herbivore crab Pachygrapsus transversus (Gibbes). The analyses of the chemical profiles from these extracts by chromatographic techniques showed that the effect of the WSF on secondary metabolites production could only be observed in D. caribaea. Our results indicated that these sympatric species showed distinct tolerances to the WSF where S. zonale was more sensitive than D. caribaea. On the other hand, both species responded to the WSF with a more deterrent behavior to herbivory. Possible ecological consequences are discussed.     

A STERILIZATION PROTOCOL FOR THE DICTYOTALES (PHAEOPHYCEAE)1

Following a study on the effect of several physical (brushing and ultrasound) and chemical (antiseptic and antibiotic) treatments on the brown seaweed Stypopodium zonale (Lamoroux) Papenfuss (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae), bactericidal treatments that were not phytotoxic to the alga were selected. The sterilization protocol consisted of 1) surface brushing of the explants, 2) incubation in the antiseptic betadine (0.50%) for 5 min, and 3) incubation in an antibiotic mixture (650 mg · L^?1 kanamycin, neomycin, and penicillin G) for 48 h. The response of the material to the treatments was assessed by means of an oxygen electrode, and a bacterial test was performed to test bactericidal efficiency. The protocol rendered photosynthetically active axenic explants of S. zonale and other members of the order (e.g. Zonaria tournefortii(Lam.) Montagne).     

Plant defense associations in the marine environment

In contrast to terrestrial systems, few positive plant-plant associations have been recorded in tropical reef environments. This study, conducted at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize during 28 March–10 April 1984, provides the first documentation of herbivore escapes for natural combinations of palatable and unpalatable marine plants. For example, there was a highly significant association of several macrophyte taxa (Laurencia poitei, Dictyota spp., Amphiroa fragilissima, Cladophoropsis macromeres, Galaxaura cylindrica, rhodophycean turf) within a 2.0-cm radius of the herbivore-resistant brown alga Stypopodium zonale. Almost twice as many taxa occurred within 10 cm of S. zonale as within 10 cm of an equal number of random Stypopodium-free points, and there were no algal species negatively associated with S. zonale. The association of A. tribulus, L. poitei, Digenia simplex, rhodophycean turf, and Jania adherens with S. zonale provided them a fourfold greater survivorship per 48 h in the presence of grazing activity by fishes (mainly Acanthuridae and Scaridae). Reduced herbivory by fishes on macroalgae associated with S. zonale was not solely a consequence of its structural aspect. Losses of the palatable alga Acanthophora spicifera were significantly greater for thalli spatially remote (30 and 60 cm) from either a real or simulated Stypopodium; however, losses of A. spicifera adjacent to actual Stypopodium plants were significantly less than the losses next to models. The inter-relationships studied here, where an abundant and well-defended plant provides a significant refuge habitat for at least five relatively edible macroalgae, clearly facilitates the survival of certain taxa in the reef system and concomitantly enhances the within habitat diversity. Our findings also suggest an interaction counter to the process of competitive exclusion, since the single predominant plant has a positive rather than negative net effect on the abundances of other species that utilize the same general resources (e.g., light, space, nutrients).     

The Effects of Seaweed Secondary Metabolites on Biofouling

Antifouling activity is one poorly investigated property of seaweed natural products. To determine, in the field, whether seaweeds contain chemicals able to influence the settlement of fouling organisms, crude organic extracts from Stypopodium zonale, Dictyota menstrualis (Phaeophyceae) and Laurencia obtusa (Rhodophyceae) were incorporated at natural volumetric concentrations, into hard stable gels that served as substrata for fouling in the experiments. Fouling organisms settled at a significantly higher rate on plates treated with S. zonale extracts than on control gels, while settlement was strongly inhibited on gels containing L. obtusa extracts. Fouling on gels treated with the D. menstrualis extract was not significantly different from the fouling found on control gels. The findings suggest that the broad antifouling properties of the crude extract of L. obtusa inhibit the settlement of fouling as well as hinder the development of settled fouling species, thereby reducing the richness of species. The results imply that L. obtusa possibly harbours powerful agents that can be explored for the development of antifouling technology.     

Initial description of the phylogeography,population structure and genetic diversity of Atlantic spotted dolphins from Brazil and the Caribbean,inferred from analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA

We provide initial information regarding the population structure and genetic diversity of Stenella frontalis from the Caribbean and southeastern Brazil from analyses of mitochondrial control region sequences and sequences from the first intron of the α-lactalbumin gene. Comparisons with previously described S. frontalis sequences showed a high number of haplotypes shared between populations throughout their distribution range. High diversity was found for southeastern Brazil and Caribbean samples, and population structure analyses indicate significant differentiation among population units at the F_ST level, but not at the Φ_ST level. Significant differentiation at the F_ST level was found between the Caribbean population unit and all other populations units. These results suggest historical or present connectivity between the Azores and Madeira and the southeastern Brazil groups and population differentiation between the Caribbean and southeastern Brazil, supporting the notion of two separate stocks in the waters around the Atlantic coast of South America.     

Induction of Attachment of the Mussel Perna perna by Natural Products from the Brown Seaweed Stypopodium zonale

Marine invertebrates settle, attach, and/or metamorphose in response to signals from several sources, including seaweeds. In response to the aquaculture challenge of producing constant numbers of juveniles from cultured species, natural inducers have been screened for their ability to improve those processes. However, few chemical inducers of attachment of invertebrates have been identified, and even less of these were secondary metabolites. The goal of this work was to isolate the natural products responsible for induction activity using bioassay-guided fractionation of the organic extract of the brown seaweed Stypopodium zonale and the attachment of juveniles of the common brown mussel, Perna perna, as a model. The meroditerpene epitaondiol, identified by comparison of spectral data with the literature, promoted as much as 4.7 times more mussel attachment compared to controls at the natural concentration found in this alga (0.041% of the crude extract or 0.012% of algal dry weight). This is the first report showing that a seaweed produces terpenoid compounds as cues for invertebrate attachment, and future studies evaluating this action on settlement of mussels in the field are expected to improve aquaculture technology by increasing mussel spat production.     

Occurrence of Apicomplexa-like structures in the digestive gland of Strombus gigas throughout the Caribbean

The queen conch, Strombus gigas, is a marine resource of ecological and economical importance in the Caribbean region. Given its importance in this region, and the critical status of most populations, the reproductive biology of this species has been studied to support management decisions. It was from these studies that a generalized sporozoan infection was detected. This study describes the geographic distribution of a coccidian (Apicomplexa) parasite infecting the digestive gland of S. gigas throughout the Caribbean. The parasite was present in every location sampled. Based on histological analysis, the parasites from all locations are similar and appear to complete their life cycle within the digestive gland. The highest occurrence of the parasites was registered in samples from Puerto Rico (54 parasites per field) and Martinique (45 parasites per field). The lowest incidence was registered on the Mexican coast of Yucatan peninsula, at Alacranes and Chinchorro with 17 parasites per field. Data showed significant differences among sites (Kruskal Wallis H = 106.957; p ? 0.05). The abundance of parasites found in the digestive ducts and in the faeces suggests the liberation of parasites to the environment. A gradual decrease in abundance was found from East to West of the Caribbean sea.     

Algal resistance to herbivory on a Caribbean barrier reef

Field and laboratory research at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize showed that macroalgae, grouped in functional-form units resisted fish and urchin herbivory in the following order (from high to low resistance): Crustose-Group, Jointed Calcareous-Group, Thick Leathery-Group, Coarsely Branched-Group, Filamentous-Group and Sheet-Group; thereby supporting the hypothesis that crustose, calcareous and thick algae have evolved antipredator defenses and should show the greatest resistance to herbivory with a gradation of increasing palatability towards filaments and sheets. Of the 21 species examined, several (e.g.,Dictyota cervicornis on grids,Laurencia obtusa andStypopodium zonale) had exceptionally low losses to fish grazing, probably due to chemical defences. The sea urchin,Diadema antillarum, was more inclined to feed on algae with known toxic secondary metabolites than were herbivorous fishes; hypothetically related to the differences in mobility and concomitant modes of feeding. Tough leathery forms such asSargassum polyceratium andTurbinaria turbinata resisted grazing by bottom feeding parrotfishes (Scaridae) and surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae) but were susceptible when suspended midway in the water column, possibly due to the presence of rudderfishes (Kyphosidae) which readily consume drift Sargassaceae. The overall tendencies support our predicted relationship between grazer-resistance and algal morphology. In conjunction with our previously reported findings concerning primary productivity, toughness and calorimetry for many of the same species, these results lend credence to generalizations relating form with function in marine macroalgae.     

Genetic Diversity and Connectivity in the Threatened Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis) in Florida

Over the past three decades, populations of the dominant shallow water Caribbean corals, Acropora cervicornis and A. palmata, have been devastated by white-band disease (WBD), resulting in the listing of both species as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. A key to conserving these threatened corals is understanding how their populations are genetically interconnected throughout the greater Caribbean. Genetic research has demonstrated that gene flow is regionally restricted across the Caribbean in both species. Yet, despite being an important site of coral reef research, little genetic data has been available for the Florida Acropora, especially for the staghorn coral, A. cervicornis. In this study, we present new mitochondrial DNA sequence data from 52 A. cervicornis individuals from 22 sites spread across the upper and lower Florida Keys, which suggest that Florida''s A. cervicornis populations are highly genetically interconnected (F_ST = −0.081). Comparison between Florida and existing mtDNA data from six regional Caribbean populations indicates that Florida possesses high levels of standing genetic diversity (h = 0.824) relative to the rest of the greater Caribbean (h = 0.701±0.043). We find that the contemporary level of gene flow across the greater Caribbean, including Florida, is restricted ( = 0.117), but evidence from shared haplotypes suggests the Western Caribbean has historically been a source of genetic variation for Florida. Despite the current patchiness of A. cervicornis in Florida, the relatively high genetic diversity and connectivity within Florida suggest that this population may have sufficient genetic variation to be viable and resilient to environmental perturbation and disease. Limited genetic exchange across regional populations of the greater Caribbean, including Florida, indicates that conservation efforts for A. cervicornis should focus on maintaining and managing populations locally rather than relying on larval inputs from elsewhere.     

MHC polymorphism in Caribbean African green monkeys

African green monkeys (AGM) are among the most widely used nonhuman primate models used in various fields of medical research. One species of AGM that originated from West Africa, Chlorocebus sabaeus, was introduced three centuries ago in the Caribbean islands. We present here a systematic study of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphism of Caribbean AGM which is currently frequently used as an animal model. We studied 54 animals originated from Barbados (N?=?25) or Saint Kitts (N?=?29). The MHC polymorphism was characterized by means of 17 MHC microsatellites spread across MHC and DRB genotyping by DGGE sequencing. We defined nine frequent MHC haplotypes of which two were found in the two insular populations suggesting either past exchanges between the two populations or a common origin of the founders of the two populations. By the analysis of a previously described EST library, we characterized 38 MHC cDNA sequences (17 class I and 21 class II). In conclusion, we characterized for the first time the MHC polymorphism of Barbados and Saint Kitts AGM. We found a restricted polymorphism due to a founding effect, which is responsible for a strong bottleneck. The poorness of MHC polymorphism observed in the Caribbean AGM populations is similar to that observed in the Mauritian cynomolgus macaque population.     

Population Genetic Structure of the Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens (Aves,Suliformes) Breeding Colonies in the Western Atlantic Ocean

The Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens has a pantropical distribution, nesting on islands along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. In the Caribbean, there is little genetic structure among colonies; however, the genetic structure among the colonies off Brazil and its relationship with those in the Caribbean are unknown. In this study, we used mtDNA and microsatellite markers to infer population structure and evolutionary history in a sample of F. magnificens individuals collected in Brazil, Grand Connétable (French Guyana), and Barbuda. Virtually all Brazilian individuals had the same mtDNA haplotype. There was no haplotype sharing between Brazil and the Caribbean, though Grand Connétable shared haplotypes with both regions. A Bayesian clustering analysis using microsatellite data found two genetic clusters: one associated with Barbuda and the other with the Brazilian populations. Grand Connétable was more similar to Barbuda but had ancestry from both clusters, corroborating its “intermediate” position. The Caribbean and Grand Connétable populations showed higher genetic diversity and effective population size compared to the Brazilian population. Overall, our results are in good agreement with an effect of marine winds in isolating the Brazilian meta-population.     

Photosynthetic performance of deep-water macroalgae (Phaeophyta,Dictyotales) off Bermuda

Photosynthetic performance and dark respiration rates were determined in situ for abundant macroalgae occurring between 27–49 m depths off Bermuda. Brown algae, particularly members of the order Dictyotales, predominated at all deep-water sites, and Stypopodium zonale was the most abundant species. Species showed net photosynthesis at very low ambient irradiances (<0.01 maximum I_o). Lobophora variegata, a species with a highly decumbent growth form, had low productivity across all irradiances. In contrast, Dictyota spp. (D. bartayresii, D. dichotoma, D. divaricata) and S. zonale had high photosynthetic capacity (ca. 400 µmol O₂ gdw^–1 h^–1), and light saturation was not evidenced at the highest ambient irradiance level (300 µE m^–1 s^–1) for species with thin, flat thalli. Light-harvesting pigment concentrations reflected tissue-nitrogen levels. C:N atom ratios, except for L. variegata and D. divaricata, were within the ratio for balanced growth. The repeated occurrence and photosynthetic efficiency of these Dictyotalean species in subtropical and tropical deep-water habitats emphasize their successful adaptation to low-light, nutrient-poor environments.     

Molecular Evidence for Lessepsian Invasion of Soritids (Larger Symbiont Bearing Benthic Foraminifera)

The Mediterranean Sea is considered as one of the hotspots of marine bioinvasions, largely due to the influx of tropical species migrating through the Suez Canal, so-called Lessepsian migrants. Several cases of Lessepsian migration have been documented recently, however, little is known about the ecological characteristics of the migrating species and their aptitude to colonize the new areas. This study focused on Red Sea soritids, larger symbiont-bearing benthic foraminifera (LBF) that are indicative of tropical and subtropical environments and were recently found in the Israeli coast of the Eastern Mediterranean. We combined molecular phylogenetic analyses of soritids and their algal symbionts as well as network analysis of Sorites orbiculus Forskål to compare populations from the Gulf of Elat (northern Red Sea) and from a known hotspot in Shikmona (northern Israel) that consists of a single population of S. orbiculus. Our phylogenetic analyses show that all specimens found in Shikmona are genetically identical to a population of S. orbiculus living on a similar shallow water pebbles habitat in the Gulf of Elat. Our analyses also show that the symbionts found in Shikmona and Elat soritids belong to the Symbiodinium clade F5, which is common in the Red Sea and also present in the Indian Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Our study therefore provides the first genetic and ecological evidences that indicate that modern population of soritids found on the Mediterranean coast of Israel is probably Lessepsian, and is less likely the descendant of a native ancient Mediterranean species.     

Comparisons of sexual reproduction in Carijoa riisei (Cnidaria,Alcyonacea) in South Atlantic,Caribbean, and Pacific areas

Soft corals show a wide variety of reproductive strategies, including both asexual and sexual reproduction which can influence macro-evolutionary processes. The octocoral Carijoa riisei has an ample geographical distribution in Pacific and southern Atlantic and also in Caribbean region. This species was considered invasive in Hawaii, and its capacity for rapid proliferation is recognized, but recent studies, however, have indicated that it appears to be native to the Indo-Pacific region. The present study examined the reproductive biology of C. riisei in the Atlantic basin. The results were then compared to previous studies of the same species from the Pacific (Hawaii) and Caribbean (Puerto Rico) regions to examine the hypothesis that the reproductive patterns of C. riisei populations are the same throughout its geographical distribution, independent of its native or non-native status. Samples were collected on a monthly basis from May/2007 to April/2008 at Porto de Galinhas (Pernambuco State, Brazil). This species was found to have similar reproduction patterns in Brazil, the Caribbean, and in Hawaii (a gonochoric reproductive pattern and continuous and asynchronous gamete release). The similarities of their traits contribute to its rapid proliferation and occupation of spaces left by other species, independent of its native or non-native status.     

Bulk and Rhizosphere Soil Bacterial Communities Studied by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis: Plant-Dependent Enrichment and Seasonal Shifts Revealed

The bacterial rhizosphere communities of three host plants of the pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae, field-grown strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.), oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), were analyzed. We aimed to determine the degree to which the rhizosphere effect is plant dependent and whether this effect would be increased by growing the same crops in two consecutive years. Rhizosphere or soil samples were taken five times over the vegetation periods. To allow a cultivation-independent analysis, total community DNA was extracted from the microbial pellet recovered from root or soil samples. 16S rDNA fragments amplified by PCR from soil or rhizosphere bacterium DNA were analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The DGGE fingerprints showed plant-dependent shifts in the relative abundance of bacterial populations in the rhizosphere which became more pronounced in the second year. DGGE patterns of oilseed rape and potato rhizosphere communities were more similar to each other than to the strawberry patterns. In both years seasonal shifts in the abundance and composition of the bacterial rhizosphere populations were observed. Independent of the plant species, the patterns of the first sampling times for both years were characterized by the absence of some of the bands which became dominant at the following sampling times. Bacillus megaterium and Arthrobacter sp. were found as predominant populations in bulk soils. Sequencing of dominant bands excised from the rhizosphere patterns revealed that 6 out of 10 bands resembled gram-positive bacteria. Nocardia populations were identified as strawberry-specific bands.     

Sea surface temperature and the growth of the West Atlantic reef-building coral Montastraea annularis

Relationships were analyzed between sea surface temperature (SST) and annual growth characteristics (density, extension rate and calcification rate) of the Caribbean reef-building coral Montastraea annularis. Colonies were collected from 12 localities in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Two well-separated relationships were found, one for the Gulf of Mexico and the other for the Caribbean Sea. Calcification rate and skeletal density increased with increasing SST in both regions, while extension rate tended to decrease. Calcification rate increased ∼0.57 g cm⁻² year⁻¹ for each 1 °C increase in SST. Zero calcification was projected to occur at 23.7 °C in corals from the Gulf of Mexico and at 25.5 °C in corals from the Caribbean Sea. The 24 °C annual average SST isotherm marks the northern limit of distribution of M. annularis. Montastraea annularis populations of the Gulf of Mexico are isolated from those of the Caribbean Sea, and results indicate that corals from the Gulf of Mexico are adapted to growth at lower minimum and average annual SST. Corals from both the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, growing at lower SSTs and having lower calcification rates, extend their skeletons the same or more than those growing at higher SSTs. They achieve this by putting more of their calcification resources into extension and less into thickening, i.e., by sacrificing density.     

Antibacterial activity of guava,moringa, camphor bush and pelargonium extracts against bacterial wilt (Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum sp. nov.) of potato

Bacterial wilt (Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum sp. nov.) is a major disease devastating global potato production. Proposed management options are mostly expensive and ineffective. This has necessitated efforts to develop cheaper and eco-friendly management options such as use of botanicals. Antibacterial activity of ethanol and acetone plant extracts from guava (Psidium guajava), drumstick (Moringa oleifera), camphor bush (Tarchonanthus camphoratus) and pelargonium (Pelargonium zonale) against R. pseudosolanacearum sp. nov. was evaluated in-vitro at a concentration of 100 mg/mL of 1 % Dimethlysulfoxide (DMSO) using disk diffusion technique. The R. pseudosolanacearum sp. nov was isolated from infected haulms collected from potato growing field at the University of Nairobi. The most effective extracts were subjected to further screening at different concentrations to determine their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). All the four plant extracts showed varied antibacterial efficacy. P. zonale leaves extract was the most effective with growth inhibition zone of 18.73 mm and 18.60 mm for ethanol and acetone solvents respectively. The average of growth inhibition zones for each plant extract was not significantly different at p ≤ 0.05 among extraction solvents. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results showed that antibacterial activity of P. zonale and P. guajava leaf started at 6.25 mg/mL with growth inhibition zones of 7.67 and 8.0 mm for ethanol and acetone solvents respectively. P. zonale and P. guajava leaf extracts exhibited significantly higher antibacterial activity at p ≤ 0.05 compared to other extracts. Thus, further research should be conducted to assess their antibacterial potency against R. pseudosolanacearum sp. nov. both in-vivo and under field condition.     

Analysis of Early Embryogenesis in Rainbow and Banded Darters (Percidae: Etheostoma) Reveals Asymmetric Postmating Barrier

This study examines early embryogenesis in two species of darters, Etheostoma caeruleum and E. zonale (Teleostei: Percidae), and their hybrids. Results document the course of ontogeny from fertilization until the onset of pigmented eyes. Comparing fertilization and developmental success of conspecific versus heterospecific crosses revealed an asymmetric postmating reproductive barrier. E. caeruleum eggs treated with E. zonale sperm exhibited fertilization and developmental success similar to that of conspecific crosses. In contrast, E. zonale eggs treated with E. caeruleum sperm exhibited reduced fertilization relative to conspecific crosses and abnormal development. Development in this latter cross was compromised at all stages, but appeared to be concentrated around epiboly, or cell migration. As epiboly represents the stage of ontogeny when zygotic genes of both species jointly contribute to embryogenesis, results provide insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying postmating barriers in Etheostoma. Finally, the observed asymmetry in fertilization success is consistent with predictions based on the behavioral ecology of these species. Etheostoma zonale spawn in the open water column, whereas E.␣caeruleum bury their eggs under the substrate. The observed fertilization barrier may have therefore resulted from selection favoring increased fertilization specificity in E. zonale.     

Biodiversity of Actinomycetes Associated with Caribbean Sponges and Their Potential for Natural Product Discovery

Marine actinomycetes provide a rich source of structurally unique and bioactive secondary metabolites. Numerous genera of marine actinomycetes have been isolated from marine sediments as well as several sponge species. In this study, 16 different species of Caribbean sponges were collected from four different locations in the coastal waters off Puerto Rico in order to examine diversity and bioactive metabolite production of marine actinomycetes in Caribbean sponges. Sediments were also collected from each location, in order to compare actinomycete communities between these two types of samples. A total of 180 actinomycetes were isolated and identified based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of at least 14 new phylotypes belonging to the genera Micromonospora, Verruscosispora, Streptomyces, Salinospora, Solwaraspora, Microbacterium and Cellulosimicrobium. Seventy-eight of the isolates (19 from sediments and 59 from sponges) shared 100 % sequence identity with Micromonospora sp. R1. Despite having identical 16S rRNA sequences, the bioactivity of extracts and subsequent fractions generated from the fermentation of both sponge- and sediment-derived isolates identical to Micromonospora sp. R1 varied greatly, with a marked increase in antibiotic metabolite production in those isolates derived from sponges. These results indicate that the chemical profiles of isolates with high 16S rRNA sequence homology to known strains can be diverse and dependent on the source of isolation. In addition, seven previously reported dihydroquinones produced by five different Streptomyces strains have been purified and characterized from one Streptomyces sp. strain isolated in this study from the Caribbean sponge Agelas sceptrum.     

A Complex Population Structure of the Cassava Pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis in Recent Years in the Caribbean Region of Colombia

Cassava bacterial blight, caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam), is the most important bacterial disease affecting this crop. A continuous surveillance of the pathogen population dynamics is required to develop an efficient disease management program. During the 1990s, Xam populations showed high levels of genetic variation and relevant migratory processes that were important determinants of the distribution of the pathogen diversity in Colombia. Aiming to characterize the current population structure of the pathogen and the evolutionary forces that shape these populations, sampling collections were carried out from September 2008 until November 2010 in the Colombian Caribbean Region. One hundred and sixty bacterial isolates were characterized using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Additionally, a subset of effector genes were sequenced in some isolates to determine their usefulness in Xam population studies and to provide additional information to that obtained with AFLPs. Virulence patterns of ten isolates were determined in nine cassava accessions. Our results show a complex architecture of population and confirm migratory process previously reported in the Caribbean Region. Chinú, one of the locations sampled, presented remarkable features in population dynamics such as longer genetic distances, higher diversity indices, and a genetically differentiated population when it was compared with other locations. Virulence tests showed that MCOL2215, one of the most cultivated cassava varieties in the Caribbean coast, was susceptible to the majority of Xam isolates tested. This study shows the current condition of populations of Xam in the Caribbean Region of Colombia, and it contributes to improve the existing bacterial blight control practices.