Characterization and microsatellite marker development for a common bark and ambrosia beetle associate, Geosmithia obscura

The diagnostic capabilities of the markers developed here will support and inform several critical next steps for addressing our knowledge gaps about fungi from the genusGeosmithia andG. obscura specifically. Specific markers will be used to guide screening efforts that will assist with additionalG. obscura isolate recovery, which is needed to validate the potential for pathogenicity. Enhanced screening efforts also will help articulate interactions with potential arthropod associates that may be serving as vectors for the fungus. Results from such work are expected to provide a benchmark for future population studies and estimates of genetic diversity and spatial distribution within theGeosmithia genus. AbstractSymbioses betweenGeosmithia fungi and wood-boring and bark beetles seldom result in disease induction within the plant host. Yet, exceptions exist such asGeosmithia morbida, the causal agent of Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) of walnuts and wingnuts, andGeosmithia sp. 41, the causal agent of Foamy Bark Canker disease of oaks. Isolates ofG. obscura were recovered from black walnut trees in eastern Tennessee and at least one isolate induced cankers following artificial inoculation. Due to the putative pathogenicity and lack of recovery ofG. obscura from natural lesions, a molecular diagnostic screening tool was developed using microsatellite markers mined from theG. obscura genome. A total of 3256 candidate microsatellite markers were identified (2236, 789, 137 di-, tri-...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research