Corky Bark Research Articles

Petalidium namibense (Acanthaceae), a new species from Namibia

Petalidium namibense, hitherto confused with P. englerianum, P. rossmannianum, and the widespread P. variabile, is here described as a new species. It is a range-restricted species, only known from the area to the southwest, west and northwest of Puros in the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, northwestern Namibia, where it grows at the base of rocky outcrops, on arid hillsides, and along ephemeral riverbeds and drainage lines. Diagnostic characters for P. namibense include the pale grey appearance of the plants, corky bark on older stems, vegetative parts with a dense white indumentum of relative long dendritic trichomes appearing lanate, flowers borne in short few-flowered dichasia, and bracteoles narrowly ovate. The flowers of P. namibense are distinctive in having the two upper corolla lobes discolorous, abaxially light brown, adaxially vermillion, without nectar guides, and connate towards the base for 25–40% of their length. The anterior lobe is adaxially magenta with two relative long, narrowly triangular yellow nectar guides. The two lateral lobes are adaxially vermillion, or distally magenta, grading to vermillion towards the throat, and lack conspicuous nectar guides. A comparison of key morphological features distinguishing P. namibense from P. sesfonteinense, its closest relative in appearance, as well as from P. englerianum, P. rossmannianum, and P. variabile, is provided. Based on IUCN Red List criteria, a provisional conservation assessment of Vulnerable (VU) is recommended for the new species.

Macroscopic and Microscopic Anatomical Characteristics of Six Korean Oak Species

The macroscopic and microscopic anatomical characteristics of wood impact its utilization. This study investigated and compared the anatomical characteristics of six Korean oak wood species: Quercus variabilis, Quercus serrata, Quercus mongolica, Quercus dentata, Quercus aliena, and Quercus acutissima. Microscopic anatomical characteristics were evaluated according to the International Association of Wood Anatomists’ list for hardwood identification. Q. variabilis had a corky bark texture, with a color similar to that of Q. serrata. Flat ridges and shallow-fissured barks were observed in Q. serrata and Q. mongolica. The heartwood color was darker than that of sapwood in all species, with color variations. Q. variabilis had heartwood–sapwood colors similar to those of Q. acutissima, while Q. mongolica and Q. aliena presented similar heartwood–sapwood colors. Concerning microscopic features, Q. variabilis and Q. acutissima exhibited similar latewood vessel arrangements, featuring diagonal and/or radial patterns. In contrast, dendritic-to-diagonal patterns of vessels with angular outlines were observed in Q. serrata, Q. mongolica, Q. dentata, and Q. aliena. Additionally, Q. variabilis and Q. acutissima had vasicentric, confluent, and unilateral paratracheal axial parenchyma in the latewood. In summary, bark morphology, bark color, wood color, and latewood vessel characteristics can be used as identification keys for Korean oak species.

The therapeutic uses of Putranjiva roxburghii: Review Article

Putranjiva roxburghii wall (Putranjivaceae) commonly known as Putranjiva is an evergreen tree of the Euphorbiaceous family, found in tropical Asia. Putranjiva roxburghii is an evergreen tree with drooping branches, corky bark coriaceous leaves and dioeciously flowers. Plant parts such as leaves, bark, roots, flowers, fruits and seeds have an effect on living organisms; the bioactive components present in the plant can be utilized in a number of ways and play a significant role in our everyday life. Its bark is mainly used for making decorative items. The bark and the seeds are used as an antidote in the treatment of snake bites. The paste of seeds of Putranjiva roxburghii is applied on the forehead to check pain. Besides, seed paste can be used in the treatment of various diseases like elephantiasis, constipation, ophthalmic, semen disorders, infertility and diseases of the female genital. The leaves are used in treating illness, phlegm, skin ailment, aridity and are also helpful in curing rheumatism. The leaf extracts and bio-oil extracted from seeds are mostly utilized in Ayurveda, herbal and Unani medications. Putranjiva roxburghii possess anti-oxidant, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Aim of the study: Putranjiva roxburghii, Wall is herbal medicine is an ancient form of medicine that has been used Putranjiva roxburghii, Wall is a traditional herbal remedy that has been used by humans for thousands of years. The plant, seed, root bark, and leaves have various traditional medicinal values. The main aim of the study is to discuss about the various activities of Putranjiva roxburghii, Wall mentioned in Ayurvedic classic. The present paper focus on the beneficial role of Puranjevak drug in daily life of human beings.

Nuances of Responses to Two Sources of Grapevine Leafroll Disease on Pinot Noir Grown in the Field for 17 Years.

Grapevine leafroll disease (GLD) is one of the most economically damaging virus diseases in grapevine, with grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 (GLRaV-1) and grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) as the main contributors. This study complements a previously published transcriptomic analysis and compared the impact of two different forms of GLD to a symptomless control treatment: a mildly symptomatic form infected with GLRaV-1 and a severe form with exceptionally early leafroll symptoms (up to six weeks before veraison) infected with GLRaV-1 and GLRaV-3. Vine physiology and fruit composition in 17-year-old Pinot noir vines were measured and a gradient of vigor, yield, and berry quality (sugar content and berry weight) was observed between treatments. Virome composition, confirmed by individual RT-PCR, was compared with biological indexing. Three divergent viromes were recovered, containing between four to seven viruses and two viroids. They included the first detection of grapevine asteroid mosaic-associated virus in Switzerland. This virus did not cause obvious symptoms on the indicators used in biological indexing. Moreover, the presence of grapevine virus B (GVB) did not cause the expected corky bark symptoms on the indicators, thus underlining the important limitations of the biological indexing. Transmission of GLRaV-3 alone or in combination with GVB by Planococcus comstocki mealybug did not reproduce the strong symptoms observed on the donor plant infected with a severe form of GLD. This result raises questions about the contribution of each virus to the symptomatology of the plant.

Ochna maguirei (Ochnaceae), a new species with corky bark from northern South Africa

Specimens of an undescribed species of Ochna were found mixed among specimens of O. pretoriensis and O. holstii. It differs from these two species on the basis of leaf shape and its corky bark. It differs from O. schweinfurthiana, a tropical African species with corky bark, on the basis of leaf shape and by producing its flowers simultaneously and amongst the leaves, rather than being hysteranthous. Differences from O. puberula and O. oxyphylla are discussed. A key is provided to separate the new species from O. holstii and the new species is described and named in honour of Brian Maguire. Ochna maguirei occurs from the Magaliesberg to the Southpansberg and is restricted to quartzite. Twenty populations occur over an area of approximately 550 km × 210 km giving an EOO of about 100,000 km2. Although the AOO is likely to be between 500 and 2000 km2, the number of populations is over 10. A population census at the Makapansgat locality suggests that the species is resilient to fire and that the population has remained equally fit for 21 years. Thus, on the basis of estimated EOO, AOO and population size and the lack of threats to its habitat, a provisional threat status of Least Concern is recommended.

تأثير الحرارة على نشاط مضادات الأكسدة والنمو الميكروبي في بهارات الكومبا وأم غليلة

الخلفية والأهداف: بهار أم غليله وبهار الكومبا عبارة عن شجيرات استوائية تنمو عشوائياً بأفريقيا. تستخدم تقليدياً كخافض للحمى ومانعة للنزيف ومسهل وكدواء لداء الاستسقاء. صممت هذه الدراسة لتقييم النشاط المضاد للأكسدة وللنمو الميكروبي وكذلك السمية لتلك البهارات المحلية أم غليله(أ) والكومبا (ب)، وقياس تأثير أثر المعاملة الحرارية 80مₒ على خصائص النشاط المضاد للأكسدة و للنمو الميكروبي والسمية. الطرق والوسائل: تم شراء العينات من أسواق جبل أولياء والكلالة اللفة - السودان وتجهيزها للتحليل، حيث تم استخلاص جميع العينات بواسطة الايثانول 80% (أ) و(ب) والمستخلص المعامل بالحرارة 80مₒ (ج) و(د) كما تم تحديد نشاط المضاد للأكسدة بواسطة كاشف ((DPPH. النتائج: قد تبين من خلال النتائج أن المستخلصات المعاملة بالحرارة والغير معاملة (ا, ب, ج, ود) تتدرج في نشاطها من الأعلى إلى الأقل على التوالي. تم تقييم النشاط المضاد للنمو الميكروبي لهذه المستخلصات ضد الميكروبات. Bacillssubtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonasaeruginosa, and Candida albicans.. أما بالنسبة لسمية مستخلصات أم غليله والكومبا فتم تقييمها باستعمال طريقة (MTT)assay, ولم يستدل على أي سمية في كل منهما. الخلاصة: أظهرت البهارات الإفريقية أم غليلة والكومبا نشاطا مضادا للأكسدة وكمضادات للميكروبات متميزا بالإضافة إلى خلوها من أي سمية حتى في منتجات الغذاء المطبوخة.

The occurrence of grapevine rugose wood disease in Algeria

Rugose wood disease constitutes one of the major grapevine disease complexes causing significant economic damage worldwide. It is widely distributed in all grapevine growing areas of the world and comprised of four individual syndromes, which may be caused by different viruses. These syndromes are Corky bark, LN 33 stem grooving, Kober stem grooving and Rupestris stem pitting (RSP). The present study focuses on the prevalence of three viruses associated with rugose wood complex (RWC) in Algeria. Field inspections and collection of symptomatic samples were conducted on autumn 2012 in the table wine and autochthone accession in the western and central regions of Algeria. A total of 202 samples were tested by RT-PCR using specific primers for Grapevine virus A (GVA), Grapevine virus D (GVD) and Grapevine rupestris stem pitting associated virus (GRSPaV). The results of RT-PCR indicated the presence of the viruses GVA, GVD and GRSPaV with 68,81% (139 out of 202 infected samples) total average infection rate. The results also indicated the predominance of GRSPaV compared to the prevalence of GVA and GVD with an infection rate of 57,92% vs. 36,63% (74 out of 202) and 2,97% (6 out of 202), respectively. Mixed infections of these three viruses were not observed in any of the samples analysed, however the mixed infection of GVA and GRSPaV was noted with a high rate of 26.73%. The grapevine cultivars; Kings Rubi, Carignan and Mersguerra were the most infected, while the Alicante Bouschet cultivar presented the lowest infection rate. To the best of our knowledge, the present study reports for the first time on the presence of GVD in Algeria.

Botryosphaeriaceae Fungi as Causal Agents of Dieback and Corky Bark in Rambutan and Longan.

Fungi in the Botryosphaeriaceae family cause dieback, fruit rots, and stem cankers in many tropical fruit trees. To identify which species of Botryosphaeriaceae were present in tropical fruit in Puerto Rico and the symptoms they cause in rambutan and longan, a disease survey was conducted throughout the island from 2008 to 2016. Diseased organs of rambutan, longan, mango, and tangerine were collected and 39 isolates belonging to the Botryosphaeriaceae family were isolated and identified. Phylogenetic analysis of three nuclear genes identified nine species: six Lasiodiplodia spp. and three Neofusicoccum spp. All 39 isolates were inoculated on healthy 1-year-old rambutan and longan seedlings to confirm their pathogenicity. Dieback on both rambutan and longan was observed at 14 days after inoculation (DAI). Fourteen isolates from seven Botryosphaeriaceae species (Lasiodiplodia brasiliensis, L. hormozganensis, L. iraniensis, L. pseudotheobromae, L. theobromae, Neofusicoccum batangarum, and N. parvum) caused dieback in rambutan. Five of these pathogenic isolates were collected from rambutan, four from longan, two from mango, and three from tangerine. Ten isolates of four Lasiodiplodia spp. caused dieback in longan: L. hormozganensis, L. iraniensis, L. pseudotheobromae and L. theobromae,. Of these, three were collected from rambutan, three from longan, one from mango, and three from tangerine. Abundant development of pycnidia on branches, called corky bark, were observed on both rambutan and longan 60 DAI. Cross-inoculations showed that pathogenicity is wide in spectrum, indicating that different planting alternatives should be considered for better crop management.

A Comprehensive Overview of Celastrus paniculatus Seed Oil Intended for the Management of Human Ailments

Celastrus paniculatus belonging to the family Celastraceae generally known as the black oil plant or Malkangani or Jyotishmati. The scrambling through a yellowish corky bark, climbing poly gamodioecious category of shrub requires support to climbs up and distributed almost all over India at the altitude of 2000 m. The seeds are also reported as anxiolytic and anticonvulsant properties, while the root and its bark considered being useful for the treatment of malaria, cancer, and brain-tonic. Plant of Jyotishmati are broadly used in the Ayurvedic system of the medicine to cure many diseases such as; appetizer, aphrodisiac, arthritis, asthma, antipyretic, amenorrhea, anti-inflammatory, acrid, arthralgia, beriberi, cardiotonic, diuretic, diaphoretic, depression, emollient, skin-diseases, paralysis, thermogenic, intellect-promoting, emetic, expectorant, leprosy, leucoderma, cephalalgia, nephropathy, abdominal disorders, sores abortifacient, and treatment of the snake bite. These plants are naturally used in the treatment of vaginal discharge, a sensation of burning, blood purification after delivery, menstruation cycle, and abortion. The seed oil contains steroid alkaloids and bright natural coloring matter, celapanine, celapanigine, celapagine, celastrine, and paniculatine are the important alkaloids. It contains the fatty acid it’s in founding; oleic acid (54.42%), palmitic acid (20.0%), linoleic acid (15.51%), and stearic acid (4.18%). The sesquiterpene alkaloids are derived from a new sesquiterpene (celapanol) which is alternately esterified by acetic, benzoic, nicotinic, and β- furoic acids.

The identification of a new genetic variant of Grapevine virus B

A new genetic variant of Grapevine virus B (GVB) was detected in LN33 hybrid grapevine exhibiting symptoms of Corky Bark (CB) disease. The full genome sequence of the variant, named here GVB 248, shares 75.6–82.1% nt identity with other variants of this virus deposited in GenBank/EMBL database. The variant was found as a single GVB-variant infection in the source LN33 grapevine, and in a mixture with other variants of this virus in one of three other GVB-infected LN33 hybrid grapevine used in this study.

Symptomatology and Anatomy of Stemgrooving (Legno Riccio) 1n the Grape Vine

External and anatomical differences between organs affected and unaffected by stemgrooving were studied on the wine grape cultivar Chenin blanc and the table grape cultivars Barlinka and Almeria. Cultivar susceptibility, graft transmissibility as well as the effect of the disease on the percentage of take and growth in: the nursery were studied. The probability of an association with other virus diseases was considered. Abnormal behaviour of the vascular cambium of infected vines gave rise to hypertrophy, hyperplasia, hypoplasia and parenchymatoses in the secondary xylem and phloem. In diseased tissues dift'erentiation of pbeDogen proceeded abnormally deep into the phloem rays. Graft transmission was detected anatomically within six months. The disease was found in all the vine growing districts of the Western Cape. Anatomical.studies showed that the disease had been present for many years. A negative effect on the percentage of t:'tKe and growth in the nursery was, recorded. A probable-relationship with corky bark was indicated anatomically and by indexing with LN33.

Detection of Viral-like Particles by Electron Microscopy of Negatively Stained Extracts from Grapevines

Viral-like particles were detected by electron microscopy of negatively stained extracts from young leaves and roots of grapevines infected with fanleaf virus and purported to be infected with the graft-transmissible agents of Ieafroll, corky bark, fleck, and stem grooving. Preparations were extracted in 0.01 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) containing 2.5% nicotine and negatively stained with 2% ammonium molydate. Membrane associated spherical particles were detected in extracts from grapevines that tested positive for fanleaf virus by ELISA and bioassay. Similar membrane associated particles were detected in herbaceous plants inoculated with grapevine extracts. Rigid rod tobacco mosaic virus-like particles were detected in extracts from some grapevines but they were not disease associated. Flexuous rod viral-like particles about 11x800 nm with cross-banding helical substructure similar to closteroviruses were detected in extracts from leafroll infected grapevines.

Diversification into novel habitats in the Africa clade of Dioscorea (Dioscoreaceae): erect habit and elephant's foot tubers.

Background Dioscorea is a widely distributed and highly diversified genus in tropical regions where it is represented by ten main clades, one of which diversified exclusively in Africa. In southern Africa it is characterised by a distinct group of species with a pachycaul or “elephant’s foot” structure that is partially to fully exposed above the substrate. In contrast to African representatives of the genus from other clades, occurring mainly in forest or woodland, the pachycaul taxa and their southern African relatives occur in diverse habitats ranging from woodland to open vegetation. Here we investigate patterns of diversification in the African clade, time of transition from forest to more open habitat, and morphological traits associated with each habitat and evaluate if such transitions have led to modification of reproductive organs and mode of dispersal.ResultsThe Africa clade originated in the Oligocene and comprises four subclades. The Dioscorea buchananii subclade (southeastern tropical Africa and South Africa) is sister to the East African subclade, which is respectively sister to the recently evolved sister South African (e. g., Cape and Pachycaul) subclades. The Cape and Pachycaul subclades diversified in the east of the Cape Peninsula in the mid Miocene, in an area with complex geomorphology and climate, where the fynbos, thicket, succulent karoo and forest biomes meet.ConclusionsDiversification out of forest is associated with major shifts in morphology of the perennial tuber (specifically an increase in size and orientation which presumably led them to become pachycaul) and rotation of stem (from twining to non-twining). The iconic elephant's foot morphology, observed in grasslands and thicket biomes, where its corky bark may offer protection against fire and herbivory, evolved since mid Miocene. A shift in pollination trait is observed within the forest, but entry into open habitat does not show association with reproductive morphology, except in the seed wing, which has switched from winged all round the seed margin to just at the base or at the apex of it, or has been even replaced by an elaiosome.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0812-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Brief report of the construction of infectious DNA clones of South African genetic variants of grapevine virus A and grapevine virus B.

BackgroundRecent research results strongly suggest that certain genetic variants of grapevine virus A (GVA) and grapevine virus B (GVB), two members of the Vitivirus genus of the family Betaflexiviridae, are the cause of Shiraz disease and corky bark disease of grapevines in South Africa, respectively. To investigate this hypothesis, work was undertaken to construct DNA clones of these viruses.Findings and conclusionsBiologically viable and stable DNA clones of genetic variants of GVA and GVB B from South Africa were constructed. The clones share 76.3, 73.2 and 85.2, 77.6 % nt sequence similarity with corresponding clones constructed in Italy and Israel. The results suggest that a derivative of a mini binary vector pCB302 is superior to pCAMBIA1305.1 for the construction of infectious and stable DNA clones of vitiviruses. Successful construction of such DNA clones of GVA and GVB reported in this study is a clear step towards fulfilling Koch’s 3rd postulate in investigating the aetiology of Shiraz disease and corky bark disease.

Beating the blaze: Fire survival in the fan aloe (Kumara plicatilis), a succulent monocotyledonous tree endemic to the Cape fynbos, South Africa

AbstractFire is central to the ecology of Mediterranean‐type climate ecosystems, but little is known about the fire ecology of succulent plants therein. This study investigated the fire ecology of an arborescent succulent monocot, Kumara plicatilis (L.) G. D. Rowley (Asphodelaceae), a Cape fynbos endemic. Habitat suitability was assessed to determine whether the species tolerates or ‘avoids’ fire, and fire survival traits (bark thickness and tissue water content) were measured. The population size structure and density of three K. plicatilis populations were assessed after natural fires, and resprouting potential was investigated. Kumara plicatilis adopts a dual fire survival strategy, occupying rocky sites to ‘avoid’ fire and possessing morphological features that afford fire tolerance, e.g. well‐protected apical meristems and thick corky bark. Bark thickness of burned individuals in situ was similar to unburned plants, suggesting that K. plicatilis bark provides effective insulation against fire. Mortality rates were 64%, 40% and 11%, and decreased as rock cover at the population level increased. All three populations showed reduced plant density post‐fire, with greater density reductions associated with lower rock cover. Small plants appear most vulnerable to fire damage due to lower absolute bark thickness and plant heights within the flame zone. Kumara plicatilis is an apical sprouter, recovering after fire or mechanical stem damage by onward growth from surviving stem apices, rather than resprouting. Post‐fire population recovery therefore likely depends on inter‐fire recruitment.

The remarkable congruence of New and Old World savanna origins.

The remarkable congruence of New and Old World savanna origins.

First Report of Dolabra nepheliae Associated with Corky Bark Disease of Langsat in Hawaii

In January 2011, branch samples were collected from langsat (Lansium domesticum Corr.), a fruit from Southeast Asia with an expanding niche market in Hawaii, exhibiting corky bark symptoms similar to that found on rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) and litchi (Litchi chinensis) (3). The orchard, located along the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii Island, had 5- to 10-year-old trees, all with corky bark symptoms. As the trees matured, the cankers increased in size and covered the branches and racemes, often resulting in little to no fruit production. Scattered along the infected bark tissue were elongated, black ascomata present in the cracks. Ascomata were removed from the cracks using a scalpel blade, placed at the edge of a water agar petri dish and gently rolled along the agar surface to remove bark tissue and other debris. Individual ascomata were placed in 10-μl drops of 10% sodium hypochlorite on fresh water agar for 20 s, removed, and placed on potato dextrose agar petri dishes amended with 25 μg/ml streptomycin. The isolates were kept at 24°C under continuous fluorescent lighting. After 9 days, black pycnidia were present, which produced smooth, hyaline, linear to curved, filiform conidia, 4 to 6 septate (mostly 6), 31.8 to 70.1 × 2.0 to 2.8 μm. The morphological descriptions and measurements were similar to those reported for Dolabra nepheliae (3). The nucleotide sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region including ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 intergenic spacers was determined for strain P11-1-1and a BLAST analysis of the sequence (GenBank Accession No. JX566449) revealed 99% similarity (586/587 bp) with the sequence of D. nepheliae strain BPI 882442 on N. lappaceum from Honduras. Based on morphology and ITS sequencing, the fungus associated with the cankers was identified as the same causal agent reported on rambutan and pulasan (N. mutabile) from Malaysia (1), and later reported on rambutan and litchi in Hawaii and Puerto Rico (3). Upon closer observations of the diseased samples, sections of corky bark contained at least two larval insects. The beetles were identified as Corticeus sp. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Araecerus sp. (Coleoptera: Anthribidae) by the USDA-ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory (Beltsville, MD). A corky bark disease on the trunk and larger limbs of mature langsat trees in Florida was thought to be caused by Cephalosporium sp. with larvae (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) feeding on the diseased tissue (2). It is not known the extent to which either of the beetle species is associated with L. domesticum in Hawaii or if they play a role in the bark disorder. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Dolabra nepheliae being found on langsat in Hawaii. Effective management practices should be established to avoid potential production losses or spreading the disease to alternative hosts.

FIRST REPORT OF GRAPEVINE RUPESTRIS STEM PITTING-ASSOCIATED VIRUS IN TUNISIAN GRAPEVINES

Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV), a member of the genus Foveavirus , is associated with Rupestris stem pitting, a disease that, along with Kober stem grooving (KSG), Corky bark (CB) and LN33 stem grooving, constitute the rugose wood disease complex of grapevine. Grapevine virus A (GVA) and Grapevine virus B (GVB), which are associated with the KSG and CB, respec- tively (Martelli, 1993), are common in Tunisian grapevines (Mahfoudhi et al ., 1998), whereas no information is avail- able on the presence of GRSPaV. Therefore, 140 samples of 10 table grape varieties (Italia, Superior Seedless, Down Seedless, Red Globe, Victoria, Early Sugar, Black Pearl, King’s Ruby, Rich Baba and Sultanine) from different Tunisian grapevine-growing areas were collected and in- dexed for the presence of this virus by RT-PCR using as template total nucleic acid preparations extracted from phloem tissue (Foissac et al ., 2001) and primers RSP-48 (5’- AGCTGGGATTATAAGGGAGGT-3’) and RSP-49 (5’- CCAGCCGTTCCACCACTAAT-3’) (Lima et al ., 2006). A 330 bp product corresponding to a fragment of the GRSPaV coat protein gene was amplified from 112 samples, accounting for an infection rate of 80%. The virus was pres- ent in all the surveyed areas and grape cultivars tested. More specifically, it was detected in all samples of cv. Early Sugar, King’s Ruby and Sultanine, whereas in the other cultivars the infection rate ranged from 17% (cv. Down Seedless) to 97% (cv. Italia). To our knowledge, this is the first report of GRSPaV in grapevines in Tunisia.

Evidence for Adaptation to Fire Regimes in the Tropical Savannas of the Brazilian Cerrado

A recent controversy concerns whether plant traits that are assumed to be adaptations to fire originally evolved in response to selective factors other than fire. We contribute to this debate by investigating the evolution of the endemic woody flora of the fire-prone Cerrado of central Brazil, the most species-rich savanna in the world. We review evidence from dated phylogenies and show that Cerrado lineages started to diversify less than 10 million years ago. These Cerrado lineages are characterized by fire-resistant traits such as thick, corky bark and root sprouting, which have been considered to have evolved as adaptations to drought or nutrient-deficient soils. However, the fact that the lineages carrying these features arose coincident with the rise to dominance of flammable C4 grasses and expansion of the savanna biome worldwide, and postdating the earlier origin of seasonal climates and the nutrient-poor, acid Cerrado soils suggests that such traits should be considered as adaptations to fire regimes. The nature of these features as adaptations to fire is further suggested by their absence or poor development in related lineages found in fire-free environments with similar edaphic conditions to the Cerrado and by their repeated independent origin in diverse lineages. We present evidence to demonstrate that the evolutionary barrier to entry to the Cerrado is a weak one, presumably because of the ease of evolution of the necessary adaptations to fire regimes for lineages inhabiting neighboring fire-free biomes.

First Report of Dolabra nepheliae Associated with Corky Bark Disease of Rambutan and Pulasan in Honduras.

In the last decade, rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L., Sapindaceae) and pulasan (N. mutabile Blume) have been cultivated in Honduras to produce exotic fruits for export to North America (2). Recently, a disease was observed that produces dark brown to black fissured cankers from 1 to 3 cm long and 1 to 4 cm wide. The infected bark tissue becomes swollen with the middle region 3 to 8 mm thick. Symptoms appear when the trees are approximately 3 years old. As the trees mature, the cankers increase in size and weaken the branches, often resulting in breakage with the weight of the fruit causing substantial plant damage and fruit loss. In August 2010, fissured branch samples of rambutan and pulasan were collected from 6- to 8-year-old trees from the Humid Tropical Demonstrative Agroforestry Center in Honduras, Atlantida, La Masica (15°33'47.4″N, 87°05'2.5″W, elevation 106 m). A fungus associated with the cankers was identified as Dolabra nepheliae. It produces black, stipitate, elongate ascomata, 312 to 482 × 250 to 281 μm with broadly cylindric, bitunicate asci, 120 to 138 × 11.2 to 15.0 μm, and filiform, hyaline ascospores, 128 to 135 × 2.8 to 3.2 μm. Fungi from rambutan and pulasan were isolated on cornmeal agar plus 0.5% dextrose and antibiotics. On potato dextrose agar, the ascospores produced slow-growing colonies, 5 mm per week. In culture, isolates from both hosts produced pycnidia with elongated, slightly to strongly curved or S-shaped, hyaline conidia, 22.8 to 46.4 × 2.8 to 3.7 μm. This fungus was first reported on rambutan and pulasan from Malaysia (1,4), and later reported on rambutan and litchi in Hawaii and Puerto Rico (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of D. nepheliae on pulasan and rambutan from Honduras. Specimens have been deposited at the U.S. National Fungus Collections (BPI 882442 on N. lappaceum and BPI 882443 on N. mutabile). Cultures were deposited at the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (CBS) as CBS 131490 on N. lappaceum and CBS 131491 on N. mutabile. Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region including ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 intergenic spacers were deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JQ004281 on N. lappaceum and Accession No. JQ004280 on N. mutabile). A BLAST search and pairwise comparison using the GenBank web server were used to compare ITS sequence data and recovered the following results: (i) CBS 131490 on N. lappaceum is 99% (538 of 544) identical to D. nepheliae CBS 123297 on Litchi chinensis from Puerto Rico; and (ii) CBS 131491 on N. mutabile is 99% (527 of 533) identical to the same strain of D. nepheliae. On the basis of the ITS sequence data, the isolates from Honduras were confirmed as the same species, D. nepheliae from Puerto Rico. Efforts to develop resistant germplasm and management strategies to control this disease have been initiated.