Author
Angelica Marsberg
Bio: Angelica Marsberg is an academic researcher from University of Pretoria. The author has contributed to research in topics: Mycosphaerellaceae & Pseudocercospora. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 123 citations.
Papers
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TL;DR: This pathogen profile synthesizes the current understanding of B. dothidea pertaining to its distribution, host associations and role as a pathogen in managed and natural woody environments, as well as elucidating previously unknown aspects of the species, including mating and host infection strategies.
Abstract: The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and members of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP).
173 citations
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TL;DR: New host and distribution reports show that more intensive sampling, especially following an endophyte approach, will reveal more complete patterns of host preference and geographical distribution for these fungi.
Abstract: Species of Mycosphaerellaceae and Teratosphaeriaceae (Ascomycetes) cause important leaf, shoot and canker diseases globally on a broad range of hosts, including Eucalyptus and other Myrtaceae. Recently, species of the Mycosphaerellaceae and Teratosphaeriaceae have been isolated as asymptomatic endophytes. In this study, endophytic species of Mycosphaerellaceae and Teratosphaeriaceae were isolated from samples taken from healthy native Syzygium cordatum (Myrtaceae) and related non-native Eucalyptus grandis x E. camaldulensis (hybrid clone) growing in Mtubatuba, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) using the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region, the partial Large Subunit (LSU; 28S nrDNA) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA operon and Translation Elongation Factor-1α (TEF-1α) genes were used to correctly identify the 22 resulting isolates. The isolates grouped in five clades representing Readeriella considenianae that was isolated only from the Eucalyptus hybrid clone, Mycosphaerella marksii and M. vietnamensis from S. cordatum and Pseudocercospora crystallina from both S. cordatum and the Eucalyptus hybrid clone. Interestingly, the serious canker pathogen T. zuluensis was isolated from Eucalyptus leaves, although it is known only from stem and branch cankers. Of the species found, R. considenianae and M. vietnamensis were found in South Africa for the first time, while M. marksii, M. vietnamensis and P. crystallina were shown to naturally infect native S. cordatum for the first time. Despite the limited number of trees sampled, the new host and distribution reports show that more intensive sampling, especially following an endophyte approach, will reveal more complete patterns of host preference and geographical distribution for these fungi.
14 citations
Cited by
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Charles University in Prague1, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic2, Stellenbosch University3, Canterbury of New Zealand4, University of Tennessee5, University of Fribourg6, University College London7, Zoological Society of London8, Williams College9, Durham University10, University of Vienna11, South African National Parks12, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources13, Free University of Berlin14, Leibniz Association15, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ16, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg17, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague18, United States Forest Service19, University of Toronto20, University of Rhode Island21, University of Concepción22, Taizhou University23, University of Konstanz24, University of Seville25, Spanish National Research Council26, University of Pretoria27
TL;DR: Improved international cooperation is crucial to reduce the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human livelihoods, as synergies with other global changes are exacerbating current invasions and facilitating new ones, thereby escalating the extent and impacts of invaders.
Abstract: Biological invasions are a global consequence of an increasingly connected world and the rise in human population size The numbers of invasive alien species – the subset of alien species that spread widely in areas where they are not native, affecting the environment or human livelihoods – are increasing Synergies with other global changes are exacerbating current invasions and facilitating new ones, thereby escalating the extent and impacts of invaders Invasions have complex and often immense long‐term direct and indirect impacts In many cases, such impacts become apparent or problematic only when invaders are well established and have large ranges Invasive alien species break down biogeographic realms, affect native species richness and abundance, increase the risk of native species extinction, affect the genetic composition of native populations, change native animal behaviour, alter phylogenetic diversity across communities, and modify trophic networks Many invasive alien species also change ecosystem functioning and the delivery of ecosystem services by altering nutrient and contaminant cycling, hydrology, habitat structure, and disturbance regimes These biodiversity and ecosystem impacts are accelerating and will increase further in the future Scientific evidence has identified policy strategies to reduce future invasions, but these strategies are often insufficiently implemented For some nations, notably Australia and New Zealand, biosecurity has become a national priority There have been long‐term successes, such as eradication of rats and cats on increasingly large islands and biological control of weeds across continental areas However, in many countries, invasions receive little attention Improved international cooperation is crucial to reduce the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human livelihoods Countries can strengthen their biosecurity regulations to implement and enforce more effective management strategies that should also address other global changes that interact with invasions
677 citations
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TL;DR: A well defined natural classification and an extensive collection of tools to study the Botryosphaeriaceae, including a growing number of genomes, now provide a springboard for a much deeper exploration of their biology, biogeography and host associations.
71 citations
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TL;DR: This article used all published records with available sequence data of the Botryosphaeriaceae in Australia to examine the distribution and host range of these taxa.
Abstract: The Botryosphaeriales, and in particular the Botryosphaeriaceae, are a well-studied group of fungi best known for the canker diseases they cause on woody hosts especially in stressed or damaged trees. Australian Plant Pathology herbaria contain many records for this group, but due to considerable taxonomic changes over the past decade, many of the species names have since been reclassified. In this article we used all published records with available sequence data of the Botryosphaeriaceae in Australia to examine the distribution and host range of these taxa. There are 24 genera encompassing 222 species in the Botryosphaeriaceae; 9 genera and 62 species have been recorded in Australia. Some genera such as Neoscytalidium are only found in warm, humid climates while Dothiorella species are more common in temperate climates. There were species, such as Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Neofusicoccum parvum and Botryosphaeria dothidea, which had a wide host range with many records. However, there were also several species found only in one location on a single host. While systematic data collection is still required, the information presented here provides a baseline of species present in Australia and will underpin future studies into this group of important pathogens.
46 citations
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TL;DR: This commentary highlights four emerging issues that need to be considered regarding the invasions by fungal pathogens of trees and it emphasizes opportunities to better understand their relevance and impacts on natural and planted forests.
Abstract: The DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology, the National Research Foundation (South Africa) and the Tree Protection Cooperative Programme (TPCP)
33 citations
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01 Jul 2018TL;DR: Comparing the genomes of Botryosphaeria dothidea and B. kuwatsukai will be instrumental in understanding how both phytopathogens interact with their plant hosts and in designing efficient strategies for disease control and molecular breeding to help ensure global apple production and food security.
Abstract: Ring rot, one of the most destructive diseases of apple worldwide, is caused primarily by Botryosphaeria dothidea and 8. kuwatsukai. Here, we sequenced the genomes of 8. dothidea strain PG45 (44.3 Mb with 5.12 % repeat rate) and 8. kuwatsukai epitype strain PG2 (48.0 Mb with 13.02 % repeat rate), and conducted a comparative analysis of these two genomes, as well as other sequenced fungal genomes, in order to understand speciation and distinctive patterns of evolution of pathogenicity-related genes. Pair-wise genome alignments revealed that the two species are highly syntenic (96.74 % average sequence identity). Both species encode a significant number of pathogenicity-related genes, e.g.carbohydrateactive enzymes (CAZYs), plant cell wall degrading enzymes (PCWDEs), secondary metabolites (SMs) biosynthetic enzymes, cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs), and secreted peptidases, in comparison to all additional sequenced fungal species involved in various life-styles. The number of pathogenicity-related genes in 8. dothidea and 8. kuwatsukai is higher than other genomes of Botryosphaeriaceae pathogens (Macrophomina phaseolina and Neofusicoccum parvum), suggesting a secondary round of Botryosphaeria-lineage expansion in the family. There were, however, also significant differences in the genomes of the two Botryosphaeria species. Botryosphaeria kuwatsukai, which infects only apple and pear, apparently lost a set of SMs genes, CAZYs and PCWDEs, possibly as a result of host specialization. Botryosphaeria kuwatsukai contained significantly more transposable elements and higher value of repeat induced point (RIP) index than B. dothidea. Our results will be instrumental in understanding how both phytopathogens interact with their plant hosts and in designing efficient strategies for disease control and molecular breeding to help ensure global apple production and food security.
32 citations