Journal article
Distribution and diversity of Phytophthora across Australia
Pacific conservation biology, Vol.23(2), pp.150-162
13/01/2017
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Abstract
The introduction and subsequent impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi within native vegetation is one of the major conservation issues for biodiversity in Australia. Recently, many new Phytophthora species have been described from Australia’s native ecosystems; however, their distribution, origin, and potential impact remain unknown. Historical bias in Phytophthora detection has been towards sites showing symptoms of disease, and traditional isolation methods show variable effectiveness of detecting different Phytophthora species. However, we now have at our disposal new techniques based on the sampling of environmental DNA and metabarcoding through the use of high-throughput sequencing. Here, we report on the diversity and distribution of Phytophthora in Australia using metabarcoding of 640 soil samples and we compare the diversity detected using this technique with that available in curated databases. Phytophthora was detected in 65% of sites, and phylogenetic analysis revealed 68 distinct Phytophthora phylotypes. Of these, 21 were identified as potentially unique taxa and 25 were new detections in natural areas and/or new introductions to Australia. There are 66 Phytophthora taxa listed in Australian databases, 43 of which were also detected in this metabarcoding study. This study revealed high Phytophthora richness within native vegetation and the additional records provide a valuable baseline resource for future studies. Many of the Phytophthora species now uncovered in Australia’s native ecosystems are newly described and until more is known we need to be cautious with regard to the spread and conservation management of these new species in Australia’s unique ecosystems.
Details
- Title
- Distribution and diversity of Phytophthora across Australia
- Creators
- Treena I. Burgess - Murdoch UniversityDiane White - Murdoch UniversityKeith M. McDougall - La Trobe UniversityJeff Garnas - University of PretoriaWilliam A. Dunstan - Murdoch UniversitySantiago Català - Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaAngus J. Carnegie - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesStuart Worboys - James Cook UniversityDavid Cahill - Deakin UniversityAnna-Maria Vettraino - Tuscia UniversityMichael J. C. Stukely - Parks and Wildlife (Kensington, Australia)Edward C. Y. Liew - Royal Botanic Garden SydneyTrudy Paap - University of PretoriaTanay Bose - University of PretoriaDuccio Migliorini - University of PretoriaBriony Williams - Murdoch UniversityFrances Brigg - Murdoch UniversityColin Crane - Parks and Wildlife (Kensington, Australia)Timothy Rudman - Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and EnvironmentGiles E. St. J. Hardy - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Pacific conservation biology, Vol.23(2), pp.150-162
- Publisher
- C S I R O Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991013176690502368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article