Emerging oomycete threats to plants and animals

Abstract

Oomycetes, or water moulds, are fungal-like organisms phylogenetically related to algae. They cause devastating diseases in both plants and animals. Here, we describe seven oomycete species that are emerging or re-emerging threats to agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture and natural ecosystems. They include the plant pathogens Phytophthora infestans, Phytophthora palmivora, Phytophthora ramorum, Plasmopara obducens, and the animal pathogens Aphanomyces invadans, Saprolegnia parasitica and Halioticida noduliformans For each species, we describe its pathology, importance and impact, discuss why it is an emerging threat and briefly review current research activities.This article is part of the themed issue 'Tackling emerging fungal threats to animal health, food security and ecosystem resilience'.

Saprolegnia molecular phylogeny among farmed teleosts in Nova Scotia, Canada

“…The S1 and S2 strains of S. parasitica were pathogenic; therefore, prevention and control measures at the farm level should be evaluated against these two isolates. (Lida et al, 2016;Sarowar et al, 2014). In addition, the pathogenic isolates of Clade I produce specialized "boat hooks" at the end of hair-like threads ornamented on secondary cysts which may aid buoyancy in water column and increase the chance of attachment to swimming hosts (Rezinciuc et al, 2018).…”

Comparative analyses of saprotrophy in Salisapilia sapeloensis and diverse plant pathogenic oomycetes reveal lifestyle-specific gene expression

“…These include, for example, the (in)famous Phytophthora infestans , the cause of the Irish potato famine [2]. In addition to the plant pathogenic genera other lineages are pathogens of animals [3,4]. Interspersed amongst the diversity of pathogenic oomycete lineages are (apparently) non-pathogenic lineages with saprotrophic lifestyles [5,6,7] (for an overview see Figure 1a).…”

Pathogenicity of Malaysian Phytophthora palmivora on cocoa, durian, rubber and oil palm determines the threat of bud rot disease

“…Phytophthora palmivora has a broad host range and, like many other Phytophthora species, has been shown to jump to and adapt to previously unknown host plants (Derevnina et al, 2016;Michel et al, 2012). It also tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions, so has the ability to infect previously unknown hosts in different regions of earth (Goss et al, 2011;Woolhouse & Gowtage-Sequeria, 2005).…”