Open AccessViability of Oomycete Propagules Following Ingestion and Excretion by Fungus Gnats, Shore Flies, and Snails
Author(s) -
Naveen Hyder,
Michael D. Coffey,
M. E. Stanghellini
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
plant disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.663
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1943-7692
pISSN - 0191-2917
DOI - 10.1094/pdis-93-7-0720
Subject(s) - biology , phytophthora ramorum , pythium aphanidermatum , sporangium , oomycete , chlamydospore , botany , phytophthora capsici , pythium ultimum , propagule , oospore , fungus , spore , phytophthora , microbiology and biotechnology , pathogen , biological pest control
Sporangia of Phytophthora capsici and P. nicotianae, as well as hyphal swellings of Pythium splendens, P. sylvaticum, and P. ultimum, were ingested by adult shore flies but none were viable after passing through the digestive tract. Oospores of Pythium aphanidermatum retained their viability following ingestion by adult shore flies. Larval stages of fungus gnats and shore flies ingested sporangia of Phytophthora capsici, P. nicotianae, and P. ramorum, but they were not viable upon excretion. In contrast, hyphal swellings of Pythium splendens, P. sylvaticum, and P. ultimum, chlamydospores of Phytophthora ramorum, and oospores of Pythium aphanidermatum, retained their viability after passage through the digestive tract of these larvae. Snails were capable of ingesting and excreting viable sporangia and chlamydospores of P. ramorum, which upon excretion infected detached leaves. Although the impact of larvae and snails in the rapid dissemination of pathogen propagules is unknown, this work does highlight the possibility that some often-ignored animal–fungus interactions should be considered in long-range dispersal of pathogen propagules via food webs.