Publications

4466

The psyllids Cacopsylla melanoneura and Cacopsylla picta reproduce on apple (Malus × domestica) and transmit the bacterium ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’, the causative agent of apple proliferation. Adult psyllids were collected by the beating-tray method from lower and upper parts of the apple tree canopy in the morning and in the afternoon. There was a trend of catching more emigrant adults of C.melanoneura in the morning and in the lower part of the canopy. For C.melanoneura remigrants, no differences were observed. The findings regarding the distribution of adults were reflected by the number of nymphs collected by wash-down sampling. The density of C.picta was too low for a statistical analysis. The vector monitoring and how it is commonly performed, is suitable for estimating densities of C.melanoneura. Nevertheless, above a certain temperature threshold, prediction of C.melanoneura density might be skewed. No evidence was found that other relatively abundant psyllid species in the orchard, viz. Baeopelma colorata, Cacopsylla breviantennata, Cacopsylla brunneipennis, Cacopsylla pruni and Trioza urticae, were involved in ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ transmission. The results of our study contribute to an advanced understanding of insect vector behavior and thus have a practical impact for an improved field monitoring.

The bacterial pathogen ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Lso) is transmitted by the tomato potato psyllid (TPP), Bactericera cockerelli, to solanaceous crops. In the present study, the changes in metabolic profiles of insect-susceptible (cv CastleMart) and resistant (RIL LA3952) tomato plants in response to TPP vectoring Lso or not, were examined after 48 h post infestation. Non-volatile and volatile metabolites were identified and quantified using headspace solid-phase microextraction equipped with a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) and ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-HR-QTOFMS), respectively. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to define the major uncorrelated metabolite components assuming the treatments as the correlated predictors. Metabolic changes in various classes of metabolites, including volatiles, hormones, and phenolics, were observed in resistant and susceptible plants in response to the insects carrying the pathogen or not. The results suggest the involvement of differentially regulated and, in some cases, implicates antagonistic metabolites in plant defensive signaling. Upon validation, the identified metabolites could be used as markers to screen and select breeding lines with enhanced resistance to reduce economic losses due to the TPP-Lso vector-pathogen complex in Solanaceous crops.

Abstract Background: Ehrlichia is a genus of Rickettsiales bacteria closely related to human/animal disease and it plays an important role in public health. Naturally they are hosted by mammals such as canines, bovines, wild rodents and vectored by ticks. Results: In this study, we collected 121 rodent samples including 67 Niviventer fulvescens, 27 Rattus tanezumi, 24 Chiromyscus sp., 2 Rattus nitidus and 1 Leopoldamys edwardsi from Hainan province, which consists of the second largest island in China. The presence and genetic diversity of Ehrlichia was evaluated and characterized by amplifying and sequencing the 16S rRNA, groEL and gltA genes. An Ehrlichia was detected in 5 of the 67 Niviventer fulvescens samples (7.46%). The 16S rRNA, groEL and gltA genes show highest 99.20%, 89.87% and 83.86% identity to known Ehrlichia sequences. In the phylogenetic trees they form a distinct cluster from any other species.Conclusions: We propose that this Ehrlichia present a putative novel species nominated as ‘Candidatus Ehrlichia hainanensis’. Its pathogenicity to human is still to be further researched and molecular surveillance in local populations is needed.

Abstract Na.no.pe.trae'us. Gr. masc. n. nanos a dwarf; L. masc. adj. petraeus (from Gr. masc. adj. petraios ) living on or among the rocks; N.L. masc. n. Nanopetraeus small organism growing inside rocks. The originally proposed name Nanopetramus was corrected to Nanopetraeus . The genus Candidatus Nanopetraeus corrig. (originally named Candidatus Nanopetramus) was established based on a genome sequence found in the metagenome of halite endoliths sampled at Salar Grande in the northern Atacama Desert, Chile. A species name was not proposed. Candidatus Nanopetraeus is phylogenetically affiliated with members of the Ca . Nanohaloarchaeota branch ( Candidatus Haloredivivus, Candidatus Nanosalina, and Candidatus Nanosalinicola corrig.) of the archaeal DPANN superphylum. Analysis of the 1.1 Mb genome of Ca . Nanopetraeus SG9 with 46.4% DNA G + C suggests that the organism has a photoheterotrophic lifestyle, based on the presence of archaeal genes for carbohydrate metabolism and rhodopsin biosynthesis. The low median isoelectric point for the predicted proteins suggests a “salt‐in” strategy for osmotic balance. 16S rRNA gene sequences affiliated with Ca . Nanopetraeus were recovered from saltern ponds and hypersaline lakes worldwide. DNA G + C content (mol%) : 46.4 (metagenome‐assembled genome sequence). Type species : Not assigned. Taxonomic and Nomenclature Notes According to the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN), the taxonomic status of the genus Candidatus Nanopetraeus is: preferred name (not correct name) (last update, February 2025) * . LPSN classification: Archaea / Nanobdellati / Candidatus Nanohalarchaeota / incertae sedis / incertae sedis / incertae sedis / Candidatus Nanopetraeus Candidatus Nanopetraeus could not be recovered in GTDB ** . * Meier‐Kolthoff et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D801 – D807 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab902 ** Parks et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D785 – D794 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab776

Abstract Na.no.sa.li.ni'co.la. Gr. masc. n. nanos dwarf; L. fem. pl. n. salinae saltworks; L. suff. –cola (from L. masc. or fem. n. incola ) inhabitant, dweller; N.L. masc. n. Nanosalinicola a dwarf‐sized organism inhabiting saltworks. The genus Candidatus Nanosalinicola corrig., originally described as Candidatus Nanosalinarum, was established based on a sequence from a metagenome recovered from the hypersaline Lake Tyrrell in Victoria, Australia. Ca . Nanosalinicola is phylogenetically affiliated with members of the Candidatus Nanohaloarchaeota branch ( Candidatus Nanosalina, Candidatus Nanopetraeus corrig., and Candidatus Haloredivivus) of the archaeal DPANN superphylum. On the basis of fluorescence in situ hybridization, cells are ∼0.6 μm in diameter. Analysis of the ∼1.22 Mb genome of Ca . Nanosalinicola J07AB56 with 56% DNA G + C suggests that the organism is an aerobic photoheterotroph. The high proportion of acidic amino acids of the predicted proteins suggests a “salt‐in” strategy for osmotic balance. Gene sequences affiliated with Ca . Nanosalinicola have also been recovered from coastal salterns in Australia and California, USA. DNA G + C content (mol%) : 56 (genome sequence). Type species : Not assigned. Genome sequence : AEIX00000000. Taxonomic and Nomenclature Notes According to the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN), the taxonomic status of the genus Candidatus Nanosalinicola is: preferred name (not correct name) (last update, February 2025) * . LPSN classification: Archaea / Nanobdellati / Candidatus Nanohalarchaeota / Candidatus Nanohaloarchaea / incertae sedis / incertae sedis / Candidatus Nanosalinicola Candidatus Nanosalinicola could not be recovered in GTDB ** . * Meier‐Kolthoff et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D801 – D807 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab902 ** Parks et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D785 – D794 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab776

Abstract Ha.lo.re.di.vi'vus. Gr. masc. n. hals , halos salt; L. masc. adj. redivivus renewed, renovated; N.L. masc. n. Haloredivivus a reconstructed salty organism. The genus Candidatus Haloredivivus was established based on a sequence of a single‐cell‐amplified genome recovered from a solar saltern pond of intermediate salinity in Spain. Ca . Haloredivivus is phylogenetically affiliated with members of the Candidatus Nanohaloarchaeota branch ( Candidatus Nanosalina, Candidatus Nanosalinicola corrig., and Candidatus Nanopetraeus corrig.) of the archaeal DPANN superphylum. Analysis of the ∼1.2 Mb genome of Ca . Haloredivivus with 42.1% G + C suggests that the organism leads a photoheterotrophic lifestyle and may be able to degrade different polysaccharides. The low median isoelectric point for the predicted proteins suggests a “salt‐in” strategy for osmotic balance. Gene sequences affiliated with Ca . Haloredivivus were recovered from a salt lake in Romania and from soda lakes in Siberia. DNA G + C content (mol%) : 42.0–42.1 (genome sequence). Type species : Not assigned. Taxonomic and Nomenclature Notes According to the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN), the taxonomic status of the genus Candidatus Haloredivivus is: preferred name (not correct name) (last update, February 2025) * . LPSN classification: Archaea / Nanobdellati / Candidatus Nanohalarchaeota / Candidatus Nanohaloarchaea / incertae sedis / incertae sedis / Candidatus Haloredivivus Candidatus Haloredivivus could not be recovered in GTDB ** . * Meier‐Kolthoff et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D801 – D807 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab902 ** Parks et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D785 – D794 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab776

Abstract Ha.lo.bo'num. Gr. masc. n. hals , halos salt; L. masc. adj. bonus good; N.L. neut. n. Halobonum a good salt organism. The genus Candidatus Halobonum with a single proposed species Candidatus Halobonum tyrrellense corrig. consists of extremely halophilic members of the haloarchaeal family Halorubraceae most closely related to the genus Halobaculum . The only isolate known was obtained from hypersaline surface waters of Lake Tyrrell, Victoria, Australia. In spite of the fact that a pure culture was isolated, Ca . Halobonum and Ca . Halobonum tyrrellense were described as Candidatus taxa. No cultures are currently available. Ca . Halobonum tyrrellense strain G22 was isolated on medium containing 235 g/l salt and with glycerol as the sole carbon source. Few phenotypic properties were reported. The genome size was estimated at 3,675,087 bp, with a DNA G + C content of 70.1 mol %. A putative sensory rhodopsin and a high number of ABC transporters and carbon metabolism genes were identified in the draft genome. 16S rRNA gene sequences affiliated with Ca . Halobonum were recovered from a hypersaline, ephemeral playa at the White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, USA, and from Chinese salt lakes and salterns. DNA G + C content (mol %) : 70.1 (genome sequence). Type species : Candidatus Halobonum tyrrellense. Taxonomic and Nomenclature Notes According to the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN), the taxonomic status of the genus Candidatus Halobonum is: preferred name (not correct name) (last update, February 2025) * . LPSN classification: Archaea / Methanobacteriati / Methanobacteriota / Halobacteria / Halobacteriales / Haloferacaceae / Candidatus Halobonum The genus Candidatus Halobonum can also be recovered in the Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB) as g__Halobaculum (version v220) ** . GTDB classification: d__Archaea / p__Halobacteriota / c__Halobacteria / o__Halobacteriales / f__Haloferacaceae / g__Halobaculum * Meier‐Kolthoff et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D801 – D807 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab902 ** Parks et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D785 – D794 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab776

Abstract Na.no.sa.li'na. Gr. masc. n. nanos dwarf; N.L. masc. adj. salinus salty; N.L. fem. n. Nanosalina a dwarf‐size salty organism. The genus Candidatus Nanosalina was established based on a sequence from a metagenome recovered from the hypersaline Lake Tyrrell in Victoria, Australia. Ca . Nanosalina is phylogenetically affiliated with members of the Candidatus Nanohaloarchaeota branch ( Candidatus Nanosalinicola corrig., Candidatus Nanopetraeus corrig., and Candidatus Haloredivivus) of the archaeal DPANN superphylum. On the basis of fluorescence in situ hybridization, cells are ∼0.6 μm in diameter. Analysis of the ∼1.23 Mb genome of Ca . Nanosalina J07AB43 with 43.5% DNA G + C suggests that the organism possesses an aerobic, photoheterotrophic lifestyle. The high proportion of acidic amino acids of the predicted proteins suggests a “salt‐in” strategy for osmotic balance. Gene sequences affiliated with Ca . Nanosalina have been recovered from coastal salterns in Australia and California, USA. DNA G + C content (mol%) : 43.5 (genome sequence). Type species : Not assigned. Taxonomic and Nomenclature Notes According to the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN), the taxonomic status of the genus Candidatus Nanosalina is: preferred name (not correct name) (last update, February 2025) * . LPSN classification: Archaea / Nanobdellati / Candidatus Nanohalarchaeota / Candidatus Nanohaloarchaea / Candidatus Nanosalinales / Candidatus Nanosalinaceae / Candidatus Nanosalina Candidatus Nanosalina could not be recovered in GTDB ** . * Meier‐Kolthoff et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D801 – D807 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab902 ** Parks et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D785 – D794 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab776

Abstract An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.