Pathological process induced by Demodex sp. (Acari: Demodicidae) in the skin of eland, Taurotragus oryx (Pallas)

Taxonomic characters of Demodex sp. (near to D. kutzeri Bukva, 1987) are described and discussed. Pronounced, disperse, chronic, multinodular folliculitis induced by this hair follicle inhabitant in the skin of eland, Taurotragus oryx, is described at the histological level.     

Three species of the hair follicle mites (Acari: Demodicidae) parasitizing the sheep, Ovis aries L

Evidence of three distinct Demodex species parasitizing the sheep is given for the first time. A newly distinguished Demodex sp. is described, and diagnostic characters are compared for Demodex ovis Hirst, 1919, D. aries Desch, 1983, and Demodex sp. Information on prevalence, distribution in the tissues, and pathogenicity of these three Demodex species in 132 head of sheep in Czechoslovakia is presented, with a review of such data published to date.     

Observations on the morphology of the hair follicle mites (Acari: Demodicidae) from Cervus elaphus L., 1758 including description of Demodex acutipes sp. n

Morphology of Demodex acutipes sp. n. and Demodex sp. parasitizing the red deer, Cervus elaphus L., 1758 is described and diagnostic characters of three Demodex species from this host are compared.     

Experimental transmission of Caryospora kutzeri (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) by rodent hosts

Four laboratory-hatched European kestrels Falco tinnunculus L. were fed on laboratory mice and common voles Microtus arvalis Pallas previously inoculated with different doses of sporulated oocysts of Caryospora kutzeri B?er, 1982. Two kestrels that were fed infected mice shed C. kurtzeri oocysts 6 days after ingesting murine tissues. To compare direct and indirect transmissions, two of the kestrels were subsequently directly inoculated with 10(5) sporulated C. kutzeri oocysts and became patent on days 8 and 9 and shed caryosporan oocysts up to day 25 post inoculation. Additionally, four mice were inoculated with 10(6) oocysts in order to examine mouse tissues for the presence of developmental stages of C. kutzeri. No coccidian stages were found in the tissues of inoculated mice. The experiment showed that developmental stages of C. kutzeri are able to survive in mouse tissues and cause infection of suitable host after their ingestion.     

Demodex tauri sp. n. (Acari: Demodicidae), a new parasite of cattle

A new species, Demodex tauri sp. n., is described in all stages of the life cycle from the hair follicles and ducts of the sebaceous glands on the eyelids of cattle in Czechoslovakia. It is compared with other demodicids described from cattle. Observations on the prevalence, habitat, and pathogenicity of the new species are presented.     

Demodex foveolator sp. n. (Acari: Demodicidae), a new epidermis-dwelling parasite of Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas, 1821)

A new species, Demodex foveolator, is described in all stages of the life cycle from the lesser white-toothed shrew, Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas, 1821). The species inhabits epidermal pits and apparently is a low-grade pathogen. A suggested trait of structural adaptations of epithelia-dwelling demodicids to their habitats is briefly discussed.     

Demodex flagellurus sp. n. (Acari: Demodicidae) from the preputial and clitoral glands of the house mouse, Mus musculus L

An extremely large new demodicid, Demodex flagellurus sp. n., is described in all stages of its life cycle from the house mouse, Mus musculus L. Its habitat, the preputial and clitoral glands, is reported as new for demodicid mites. Adaptations to habitat, host transfer, and the potential of this species as a useful model in experimental studies on demodicid biology are discussed.     

Germination behaviour in seeds of Diplotaxis erucoides and D. virgata

The seed germination behaviour of four populations each of Diplotaxis erucoides (L.) DC. and D. virgata (Cav.) DC, two weedy Brassicaceae species widely distributed in the Mediterranean region, was studied under controlled light, temperature and moisture conditions. Germination rates in D. virgata were generally higher at alternating (25/15^C) and low (15^C) temperatures, whereas in D. erucoides optimal germination rates were achieved at higher temperatures (25^C). No correlation between seed weight and germination was found in either species. In D. virgata, the geographic origin of the seed had an important effect on germination percentage. Great germination variability was found among the populations and even among seeds belonging to the same population. In this species, the application of gibberellic acid stimulated germination, especially in the populations with higher dormancy levels. Dormancy was found in mature D. virgata seeds but not in those of D. erucoides. In both species, germination percentages decreased after a certain period of storage at low temperatures. This period varied depending on the species and the population considered.     

Morphological and molecular characterisation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ditylenchus stenurus</Emphasis> n. sp. (Nematoda: Anguinidae) from western Iran

A new species in the genus Ditylenchus, D. stenurus n. sp. collected from western Iran, is described and illustrated herein based on morphological and molecular studies. The new species is characterised by a body length of 772 (663–863) μm, delicate stylet 6 (5–7) μm long, six lines in the lateral field. Median bulb of pharynx well-developed, muscular with crescentic valve. Post-vulval uterine sac well-developed, 35 (30–45) μm long, female tail elongate-conoid, becoming narrow suddenly with finely rounded terminus. The new species comes close in morphology and morphometrics to five known species of the genus, namely D. arachis, D. caudatus, D. clarus, D. myceliophagus, and D. nanus. DNA sequencing data was obtained on the partial 18S, D2/D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS). The phylogenetic relationships of this species with other Ditylenchus spp. using partial 18S–rDNA and D2/D3 indicated that D. stenurus n. sp. clustered together with several species belongs to the D. triformis-group i. e. D. africanus, D. destructor and D. halictus: all sharing a rounded tail terminus and six lines in lateral fields.     

Characterization of fungal pathogens (Diaporthe angelicae and D. eres) responsible for umbel browning and stem necrosis on carrot in France

A collection of 102 Diaporthe isolates was compiled from lesions on carrot, parsley and wild Apiaceae species in France from 2010 to 2014. Molecular typing based on ITS rDNA sequences resulted in the identification of 85 D. angelicae and 17 D. eres isolates. Based on sequences of the 3′ part of the IGS rDNA, intraspecific variability was analysed for 17 D. angelicae and 13 D. eres isolates from diverse plant species, locations in France, and plant tissues. The genetic diversity was greater for D. angelicae isolates than D. eres isolates. In vitro sensitivity of five D. angelicae and four D. eres isolates to each of nine fungicides was similar for isolates of both species, with a marked variation in fungicide sensitivity depending on the active ingredient. To assess the pathogenicity of D. angelicae and D. eres isolates on carrot, one isolate of each species was inoculated onto umbels in a controlled environment. Typical lesions were observed for both isolates. Carrot crop debris collected from a seed production field in France and placed in controlled conditions produced perithecia and ascospores typical of Diaporthe, that were further characterized molecularly as belonging to D. angelicae. Detection of Diaporthe species on seed lots from three carrot production fields in France was investigated. Both species were detected on seeds by conventional PCR assay, with a greater frequency for D. angelicae than D. eres (67% vs 33%, respectively). Overall, the results highlighted that umbel browning in carrot seed crops in France was mainly caused by D. angelicae.     

Factors affecting seed germination and emergence of button grass (Dactyloctenium radulans) (R.Br.) P.Beauv.

Button grass (Dactyloctenium radulans) is a native, widely spread summer grass weed species in Australia. However, limited information is available on the seed germination biology of this species. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of environmental factors on the germination and emergence of two populations of D. radulans. The seeds of these populations were collected separately from Dalby, Queensland and Coleambally, NSW. Seeds were germinated at a range of constant and alternating temperatures (25/15, 30/20, 35/25 and 40/30°C day/night). The greatest seed germination was at a constant temperature of 30°C. Seed germination was reduced at the lowest alternating temperature (25/15°C). Germination of both populations was strongly stimulated by light, suggesting a great amount of emergence of D. radulans on bare ground, such as crop seedbeds. Germination of the D. radulans population collected from a northern cotton farming system (Dalby) was more tolerant to a greater range of salt stress than the population sourced from the south (Coleambally). Seeds of both populations germinated over a wide range of pH, between 4 and 10. However, germination was the greatest in a high pH buffer solution, indicating that the species prefers to germinate in alkaline soil. These results showed that D. radulans seeds possess a wide range of tolerance mechanisms to different environmental stresses. Information obtained in this study will help in developing more sustainable and effective integrated weed management strategies for the control of this weed and weeds with similar responses in summer cropping systems, such as cotton.     

Ditylenchus gigas n. sp. parasitizing broad bean: a new stem nematode singled out from the Ditylenchus dipsaci species complex using a polyphasic approach with molecular phylogeny

Morphologial, biochemical, molecular and karyological analyses of different populations and races of the stem and bulb nematode Ditylenchus dipsaci have suggested that it represents a species complex, of which only D. dipsaci sensu stricto and its morphologically larger variant, known as the giant race of the stem and bulb nematode, are plant parasites of economic importance. The present study singles out the giant race from this complex, herein described as a new species named Ditylenchus gigas n. sp., on the basis of morphological and molecular data obtained from several populations collected from broad beans in southern Italy, southern Spain and Lebanon. The new species epithet, which refers to the large body size of the nematode with respect to the normal races, must be considered to be conspecific with the D. dipsaci‘giant race’ from Fabaceae in recent literature. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by a body size 1·5–2 times longer than the ‘normal race’, stylet delicate (11·5–13·0 μm long) with knobs distinctly sloping backwards, and long post‐vulval uterine sac (81–150 μm long). Results of molecular analysis of rDNA sequences including the ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 region, the D2–D3 fragment of the 28S gene, the small 18S subunit, the partial mitochondrial gene for cytochrome c oxidase I (mtCOI), and hsp90 gene sequences, support the new taxonomic species status for the former D. dipsaci giant race from Vicia faba, and clearly distinguish D. gigas n. sp. from D. dipsaci sensu stricto.     

Alternative hosts and plant tissues for the survival,sporulation and spread of the Ascochyta blight pathogen of chickpea

Various crop and weed species were infected naturally by Didymella rabiei (anamorph: Ascochyta rabiei) in blight-affected chickpea fields in the Palouse region of eastern Washington and northern Idaho, USA. The fungus was isolated from asymptomatic plants of 16 species commonly found in commercial crops in this region. Isolates of the pathogen from crop and weed species were pathogenic to chickpea and indistinguishable in cultural and morphological characteristics from isolates of D. rabiei from chickpea. Both mating types of D. rabiei were isolated from eight naturally infected plant species. Chickpeas were infected by D. rabiei when plants emerged through infested debris of seven crop and weed species. The teleomorph developed on overwintered tissues of seven plant species infected naturally by D. rabiei in a blight screening nursery and on debris of wheat, white sweet clover and pea inoculated with ascospores of D. rabiei or conidia of two compatible isolates of the pathogen. Didymella rabiei naturally infected 31 accessions of 12 Cicer spp. and the teleomorph developed on the overwintered debris of all accessions, including those of three highly resistant perennial species. The fungus developed on the stem and leaf pieces of ten plant species common to southern Spain inoculated with conidia of two compatible isolates of D. rabiei, and formed pseudothecia with asci and viable ascospores on six of ten species and pycnidia with conidia on all plant species.     

Revision of Dioncopseudobenedenia Yamaguti, 1965 including the description of D. ancoralis sp. n. (Monogenea: Capsalidae) from Pacific acanthuroid teleosts

Dioncopseudobenedenia Yamaguti, 1965 (Monogenea: Capsalidae) is redefined. Dioncopseudobenedenia kala Yamaguti, 1965 (type species) is redescribed from type material from Hawaii and from new specimens from Heron Island, Queensland, Australia and New Caledonia. We made detailed observations on D. macracantha Yamaguti, 1968 from type material from Hawaii, and from new material from Heron Island and New Caledonia. Dioncopseudobenedenia ancoralis sp. n. is described from the gill chamber of Siganus lineatus (Valenciennes) from Green Island and Heron Island, Australia and from New Caledonia. This study confirms that only one pair of large central sclerites is present on the haptor in Dioncopseudobenedenia species. The male copulatory organ in species of Dioncopseudobenedenia is a penis contained in a fluid-filled space (= penis canal) with weakly muscular walls. Dioncopseudobenedenia kala and D. ancoralis bear a sclerite at the tip of the penis. In D. macracantha, the structure of the penis, which has no terminal sclerite, indicates it may combine the functions of a penis and a cirrus. Dioncopseudobenedenia is compared with Calicobenedenia Kritsky et Fennessy, 1999, the other capsalid genus with a single pair of large sclerites on the haptor. The large haptoral sclerites in species of Dioncopseudobenedenia resemble accessory sclerites, whereas those of C. polyprioni Kritsky et Fennessy, 1999 resemble hamuli. Observations of oncomiracidia confirmed that the large haptoral sclerites in D. kala are accessory sclerites. Haptoral morphology suggests that different Dioncopseudobenedenia spp. employ different means of attachment. Mating behaviour was observed twice between two different pairs of D. kala specimens from Heron Island. Two preserved specimens from Nouméa, New Caledonia had structures near the dorsal vaginal pore that we interpret as spermatophores. This is the first report of spermatophores in a capsalid inhabiting the gill chamber. The geographic distribution of Dioncopseudobenedenia spp. is discussed.     

A new stem nematode associated with peanut pod rot in China: morphological and molecular characterization of Ditylenchus arachis n. sp. (Nematoda: Anguinidae)

Surveys conducted in peanut production areas of China revealed peanut pod rot in several fields in Shandong and Hebei Provinces, China. A large quantity of an unknown stem nematode was isolated from the hulls and seeds of peanuts, herein described as Ditylenchus arachis n. sp. The new species is characterized by a combination of the following features: lateral lip sectors distinctly projected, stylet delicate, 8·4–10 μm in length, six lines in the lateral field, tail elongate–conoid, bursa covering about 68–86% of tail length. Pathogenicity tests showed that D. arachis n. sp. could infect peanut (Arachis hypogaea), but not sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) or potato (Solanum tuberosum). Morphologically, D. arachis n. sp. appears closest to D. africanus, D. myceliophagus and D. destructor, but can be differentiated based upon a combination of morphological characteristics, host preference and molecular sequence data. The results of the phylogenetic analysis, based on 18S rDNA, the D2–D3 expansion region of 28S rDNA, and the ITS1–5·8S–ITS2 region, confirmed its status as a new species. A sister relationship with D. destructor was appointed, rather than with its ecologically very similar congener D. africanus.     

Pathogenicity of Diaporthe spp. on two blueberry cultivars (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Diaporthe vaccinii causes twig blight and fruit rot and is currently listed as a quarantine organism for the European Union. In the Netherlands, two species from the same genus, Diaporthe eres and Diaporthe rudis, are regularly isolated from blighted twigs of Vaccinium corymbosum. This study compared the pathogenicity of these two species to D. vaccinii. To develop a pathogenicity test a field experiment was performed at an experimental station, testing isolates of D. rudis and D. eres. Most of the isolates tested did not cause statistically significantly larger lesions compared to the control treatment (P > 0.05). In a greenhouse experiment a similar test was conducted, comparing D. vaccinii with the closely related species D. eres. Two cultivars of blueberry, Duke and Liberty, were inoculated using two D. vaccinii and two D. eres isolates. Stem canker lesions caused by D. vaccinii were larger than these caused by D. eres isolates. The majority of the lesions caused by D. vaccinii did not pass the first node of the inoculated shoot, which might be an explanation for the ‘mild’ symptoms of D. vaccinii in V. corymbosum, which appear not to cause crop losses. The results of this study suggest that D. vaccinii may not be a major threat to blueberry production in Europe. Further data is required to be able to conclude whether the quarantine status of D. vaccinii is still appropriate.     

Interaction between Diplodia pinea and D. scrobiculata in red and jack pine seedlings

Sphaeropsis sapinea sensu lato is a conifer fungal pathogen that causes shoot blight and stem cankers. Recently, the former S. sapinea has been divided into two species, Diplodia pinea and D. scrobiculata. The aims of the study were to determine the contribution of each species in disease development on red and jack pines by means of co-inoculations and molecular identifications, and to evaluate how the presence of each species affects the development and aggressiveness of the other. Symptom severity (distance below the inoculation site at which necrotic needles were observed) and identification length (the maximum distance from inoculation site from which either D. pinea or D. scrobiculata was identified using molecular methods) were recorded 4 weeks after inoculating wounded seedlings with agar plugs colonized by these pathogens. The results suggested that D. pinea was much more aggressive on both hosts than D. scrobiculata. When a seedling was co-inoculated with these pathogens, the symptom development appeared to be mainly due to D. pinea. The presence of D. pinea also interfered with the establishment of D. scrobiculata in the plant tissue. However, D. scrobiculata showed antagonism toward D. pinea. When both pathogens co-occurred in a single seedling, symptom severity caused by D. pinea was less than when D. pinea alone was present.     

Total phenol,anthocyanin, and terpenoid content,photosynthetic rate,and nutrient uptake of Solanum nigrum L. and Digitaria sanguinalis L. as affected by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation

Over the last decades, tillage, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides have reduced the beneficial fungal population size in arable soils. Though soil inoculation can be a practical way to restore arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) population size, weeds may also be benefited, as well. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of three AMF species (Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizoglomus fasciculatum, and Rhizoglomus intraradices) on photosynthetic rate, secondary metabolites content, reproductive organs percentage and nutrient uptake in Solanum nigrum L. and Digitaria sanguinalis L. weed species. Our results showed species variation in response to AMF inoculation, so that, while inoculation with R. intraradices fungal species decreased total biomass in S. nigrum plants significantly, it increased total biomass of D. sanguinalis plants by 26–49%. In addition, inoculation with F. mosseae species increased phenol, anthocyanin, and total terpenoid content in S. nigrum plants much more than D. sanguinalis. Increased photosynthetic rate, secondary metabolites content, and flowering percentage in AMF‐inoculated S. nigrum plants show the enhanced competitive ability and allelopathic potential of this weed when associated with AMF, which makes it a good competitor against other plant species in the environment.     

基于DNA条形码的红翅大小蠹和黄杉大小蠹分子鉴定

外来有害生物的快速准确鉴定有助于提高口岸检疫效率。红翅大小蠹(Dendroctonus rufipennis)和黄杉大小蠹(D. pseudotsugae)作为大小蠹属的非中国种是我国口岸原木检疫中频繁截获的检疫性有害昆虫。本研究以mtDNA COI基因5′端和3′端序列为标记对红翅大小蠹与黄杉大小蠹的11个样本开展分子鉴定有效性评价。结果显示,当以COI基因5′端和3′端为靶标时,两种大小蠹间的平均遗传距离分别为0.181和0.144,是种内遗传距离的60.3和48倍,且种内、种间遗传距离间无重叠现象,在系统发育树上都能聚为独立的分支,表明mtDNA COI基因5′端和3′端序列均可有效区分红翅大小蠹与黄杉大小蠹。     

Biochemical and genetical analysis reveal a new clade of biovar 3 <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dickeya</Emphasis> spp. strains isolated from potato in Europe

Sixty-five potato strains of the soft rot-causing plant pathogenic bacterium Dickeya spp., and two strains from hyacinth, were characterised using biochemical assays, REP-PCR genomic finger printing, 16S rDNA and dnaX sequence analysis. These methods were compared with nineteen strains representing six Dickeya species which included the type strains. A group of twenty-two potato strains isolated between 2005-2007 in the Netherlands, Poland, Finland and Israel were characterised as belonging to biovar 3. They were 100% identical in REP-PCR, dnaX and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. In a polyphasic analysis they formed a new clade different from the six Dickeya species previously described, and may therefore constitute a new species. The strains were very similar to a Dutch strain from hyacinth. On the basis of dnaX sequences and biochemical assays, all other potato strains isolated in Europe between 1979 and 1994 were identified as D. dianthicola (biovar 1 and 7), with the exception of two German strains classified as D. dieffenbachia (biovar 2) and D. dadantii (biovar 3), respectively. Potato strains from Peru were classified as D. dadantii, from Australia as D. zeae and from Taiwan as D. chrysanthemi bv. parthenii, indicating that different Dickeya species are found in association with potato.