Monitoring <i>Chrysaora hysoscella</i> (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa) in the Belgian part of the North Sea using eDNA

The use of Environmental DNA (eDNA) in monitoring ecosystems is now gaining attention in the field of research. The technique has shown a snapshot of the organisms present in the ecosystem being studied. Recent studies have demonstrated that the distribution and biomass of aquatic organisms can be estimated through detection and quantification of eDNA samples in the studied ecosystem. The approach is very rarely used in studying the detection and distribution of jellyfish in marine ecosystem. To investigate the technique’s applicability in detecting and monitoring marine gelatinous zooplankton, eDNA was used to monitory the compass jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella) in the southern North Sea. eDNA samples were collected from the surface water of the nine studied stations in the Belgian part of the North Sea (BPNS) from 2014 to 2016. In this study, eDNA samples from October 2014, March, May, August and October 2015, January, March, May and August 2016 were extracted using CTAB. eDNA extracts were run in a qPCR for C. hysoscella eDNA detection and quantification.This study detected C. hysoscella eDNA in the BPNS across the sampling months with a reduction in the frequency of detection in 2016. The target eDNA was found to be more common in Oostende then in Nieuwpoort and least in Zeebrugge stations. C. hysoscella eDNA was common and abundant in offshore stations and least in the shoreline stations. Peaks of eDNA abundance were recorded in spring, summer and autumn periods (October 2014, March, May and August 2016, March and August 2016). The recorded eDNA abundance was found to be not correlated with temperature (p = 0.4254). The results also revealed that the abundance of C. hysoscella eDNA somehow exhibited temporal and spatial variations. The results of this study imply that eDNA approach can be used to study the presence, patterns of distribution and the estimates of C. hysoscella biomass in the BPNS. This study confirms the broad potential of eDNA method in surveying ecosystems. The eDNA protocol used in the present study can be developed further to monitor jellyfish population in the BPNS obtaining a more detailed estimates of jellyfish abundance and distribution

Delimiting the polymorphic congeners of the genus Oerstedia Quatrefages, 1864 (Nemertea, Hoplonemertea), and descriptions of three new species from the Northwest Pacific

Three new species of the monostiliferous hoplonemertean genus Oerstedia Quatrefages, 1864, are herein described using morphological and molecular data—Oerstedia pseudoculata sp. nov., from Akkeshi Bay and Oshoro Bay, Hokkaido, Japan, and from Aniwa Bay, Sakhalin, Russia; Oerstedia rugosa sp. nov. from Sagami Bay, Misaki, Kanagawa, Japan, and Van Phong Bay, Vietnam; and Oerstedia viridifusca sp. nov. from Manazuru, Kanagawa, Japan. As to the external morphology, O. pseudoculata sp. nov. can be differentiated from O. oculata only by its bright-orange ocelli visible on both sides of the head, and a proboscis pore opening at the ventral tip of the head. These two sister species repeat each other’s color patterns, a phenomenon that can be explained by Vavilov’s law of homologous series. Oerstedia rugosa sp. nov. can be identified by its carmine or deep-red to brownish-red body with several longitudinal, intertwined white lines or wrinkles running from the head to the posterior body, and by 17–23 vaguely bordered white bands composed of variedly sized dots encircling the body, arranged at irregular intervals. Oerstedia viridifusca sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Oerstedia by (i) the entire body flecked with minute greenish-brown dots, especially densely on the anterior portion of the dorsal surface, but sparsely on the posterior half of the ventral surface; (ii) a collar-like portion encircling the body along the posterior cephalic furrow where the greenish-brown dots are absent; (iii) the anterolateral edges of the head lacking the greenish-brown dots; and (iv) the ocelli being brownish-orange in color. Oerstedia phoresiae (Kulikova, 1987) is reported for the first time from Japan, in addition to its previous distribution record in Russia and in South Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S, 18S, 28S ribosomal RNA, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, and histone H3 genes show that the new species are true congeners of the genus Oerstedia with O. pseudoculata sp. nov. and O. viridifusca sp. nov. nested within the clade Paroerstediella whereas O. rugosa sp. nov. in the clade Oerstedia. This taxonomic work emphasizes the importance of DNA barcode sequence in the taxonomy and systematics of the polymorphic congeners of the genus Oerstedia

Acarofauna associated to papaya orchards in Veracruz, Mexico

Productores agrícolas en México recientemente notaron un fuerte incremento en las infestaciones de ácaros en las huertas de papayo (Carica papaya L. 1753). Se elaboró una lista de las especies de ácaros asociados con hojas de papayo para determinar las especies responsables de las altas infestaciones y para identificar a los ácaros depredadores. Los ácaros fueron colectados de tres estratos (alto, medio y bajo) en siete muncipios del centro del estado de Veracruz. Las hojas fueron procesadas por lavado y tamizado. Las especies identificadas incluyeron cuatro tetraníquidos: Eotetranychus lewisi (McGregor 1943), Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor 1914), Tetranychus merganser Boudreaux 1954 y Tetranychus urticae Koch 1836; tres fitoseidos: Euseius hibisci (Chant 1959), Galendromus helveolus (Chant 1959) y Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks 1904), donde las dos primeras especies fueron las más abundantes. El ácaro eriófido errante Calacarus citrifolii Keifer 1955 fue colectado en tres municipios, en el estrato bajo. El ácaro blanco, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks 1904), y el ácaro carmín, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval 1867), no fueron colectados, aunque estas dos especies fueron registradas previamente en esta área. Ninguno de los fitoseidos encontrados puede ser considerado de reciente establecimiento en el área; se discute su potencial como agentes de control biológico

Determination of enantiomeric compositions by transient absorption spectroscopy using proteins as chiral selectors

Financial support from the MEC (Grant CTQ2007-67010 and predoctoral fellowship to C.J.B. and I. V.), from the Carlos III Institute of Health (Grant RIRAAF, RETICS program) and from the Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo Program) is gratefully acknowledged.Vayá Pérez, I.; Bueno Alejo, CJ.; Jiménez Molero, MC.; Miranda Alonso, MÁ. (2008). Determination of enantiomeric compositions by transient absorption spectroscopy using proteins as chiral selectors. Chemistry - A European Journal. 14(36):11284-11287. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.200801657S11284112871436Finn, M. G. (2002). Emerging methods for the rapid determination of enantiomeric excess. Chirality, 14(7), 534-540. doi:10.1002/chir.10101Maier, N. M., Franco, P., & Lindner, W. (2001). Separation of enantiomers: needs, challenges, perspectives. Journal of Chromatography A, 906(1-2), 3-33. doi:10.1016/s0021-9673(00)00532-xPirkle, W. H., & Finn, J. M. (1981). Chiral high-pressure liquid chromatographic stationary phases. 3. 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Measurement of Enantiomeric Excess by Kinetic Resolution and Mass Spectrometry. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 38(12), 1755-1758. doi:10.1002/(sici)1521-3773(19990614)38:123.0.co;2-qReetz, M. T., Becker, M. H., Klein, H.-W., & Stöckigt, D. (1999). Eine Methode zum High-Throughput-Screening von enantioselektiven Katalysatoren. Angewandte Chemie, 111(12), 1872-1875. doi:10.1002/(sici)1521-3757(19990614)111:123.0.co;2-gReetz, M. T., Becker, M. H., Klein, H.-W., & Stöckigt, D. (1999). A Method for High-Throughput Screening of Enantioselective Catalysts. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 38(12), 1758-1761. doi:10.1002/(sici)1521-3773(19990614)38:123.0.co;2-8Markert, C., & Pfaltz, A. (2004). Screening of Chiral Catalysts and Catalyst Mixtures by Mass Spectrometric Monitoring of Catalytic Intermediates. Angewandte Chemie, 116(19), 2552-2554. doi:10.1002/ange.200453844Markert, C., & Pfaltz, A. (2004). Screening of Chiral Catalysts and Catalyst Mixtures by Mass Spectrometric Monitoring of Catalytic Intermediates. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 43(19), 2498-2500. doi:10.1002/anie.200453844Reetz, M. T., Kühling, K. M., Deege, A., Hinrichs, H., & Belder, D. (2000). Super-Hochdurchsatz-Screening von enantioselektiven Katalysatoren mittels parallelisierter Kapillarelektrophorese. Angewandte Chemie, 112(21), 4049-4052. doi:10.1002/1521-3757(20001103)112:213.0.co;2-nReetz, M. T., Kühling, K. M., Deege, A., Hinrichs, H., & Belder, D. (2000). Super-High-Throughput Screening of Enantioselective Catalysts by Using Capillary Array Electrophoresis. Angewandte Chemie, 39(21), 3891-3893. doi:10.1002/1521-3773(20001103)39:213.0.co;2-1Abato, P., & Seto, C. T. (2001). EMDee:  An Enzymatic Method for Determining Enantiomeric Excess. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 123(37), 9206-9207. doi:10.1021/ja016177qVan Delden, R. A., & Feringa, B. L. (2001). Color Indicators of Molecular Chirality Based on Doped Liquid Crystals. Angewandte Chemie, 113(17), 3298-3300. doi:10.1002/1521-3757(20010903)113:173.0.co;2-eVan Delden, R. A., & Feringa, B. L. (2001). Color Indicators of Molecular Chirality Based on Doped Liquid Crystals. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 40(17), 3198-3200. doi:10.1002/1521-3773(20010903)40:173.0.co;2-iTaran, F., Gauchet, C., Mohar, B., Meunier, S., Valleix, A., Renard, P. Y., … Mioskowski, C. (2002). High-Throughput Screening of Enantioselective Catalysts by Immunoassay. Angewandte Chemie, 114(1), 132-135. doi:10.1002/1521-3757(20020104)114:13.0.co;2-dTaran, F., Gauchet, C., Mohar, B., Meunier, S., Valleix, A., Renard, P. Y., … Mioskowski, C. (2002). High-Throughput Screening of Enantioselective Catalysts by Immunoassay. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 41(1), 124-127. doi:10.1002/1521-3773(20020104)41:13.0.co;2-rLi, Z., Bütikofer, L., & Witholt, B. (2004). High-Throughput Measurement of the Enantiomeric Excess of Chiral Alcohols by Using Two Enzymes. Angewandte Chemie, 116(13), 1730-1734. doi:10.1002/ange.200353055Li, Z., Bütikofer, L., & Witholt, B. (2004). High-Throughput Measurement of the Enantiomeric Excess of Chiral Alcohols by Using Two Enzymes. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 43(13), 1698-1702. doi:10.1002/anie.200353055Eelkema, R., van Delden, R. A., & Feringa, B. L. (2004). Direct Visual Detection of the Stereoselectivity of a Catalytic Reaction. Angewandte Chemie, 116(38), 5123-5126. doi:10.1002/ange.200460822Eelkema, R., van Delden, R. A., & Feringa, B. L. (2004). Direct Visual Detection of the Stereoselectivity of a Catalytic Reaction. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 43(38), 5013-5016. doi:10.1002/anie.200460822Dey, S., Karukurichi, K. R., Shen, W., & Berkowitz, D. B. (2005). Double-Cuvette ISES:  In Situ Estimation of Enantioselectivity and Relative Rate for Catalyst Screening. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 127(24), 8610-8611. doi:10.1021/ja052010bMei, X., & Wolf, C. (2006). Determination of Enantiomeric Excess and Concentration of Unprotected Amino Acids, Amines, Amino Alcohols, and Carboxylic Acids by Competitive Binding Assays with a Chiral Scandium Complex. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 128(41), 13326-13327. doi:10.1021/ja0636486Reetz, M. T., Becker, M. H., Kühling, K. M., & Holzwarth, A. (1998). Zeitaufgelöste IR-thermographische Detektion und Screening von enantioselektiven katalytischen Reaktionen. Angewandte Chemie, 110(19), 2792-2795. doi:10.1002/(sici)1521-3757(19981002)110:193.0.co;2-2Reetz, M. T., Becker, M. H., Kühling, K. M., & Holzwarth, A. (1998). Time-Resolved IR-Thermographic Detection and Screening of Enantioselectivity in Catalytic Reactions. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 37(19), 2647-2650. doi:10.1002/(sici)1521-3773(19981016)37:193.0.co;2-iDing, K., Ishii, A., & Mikami, K. (1999). Super-High-Throughput-Screening chiraler Liganden und Aktivatoren: asymmetrische Aktivierung chiraler Diol-Zink-Katalysatoren durch chirale Stickstoffaktivatoren für die enantioselektive Addition von Diethylzink an Aldehyde. Angewandte Chemie, 111(4), 519-523. doi:10.1002/(sici)1521-3757(19990215)111:43.0.co;2-6Ding, K., Ishii, A., & Mikami, K. (1999). Super High Throughput Screening (SHTS) of Chiral Ligands and Activators: Asymmetric Activation of Chiral Diol-Zinc Catalysts by Chiral Nitrogen Activators for the Enantioselective Addition of Diethylzinc to Aldehydes. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 38(4), 497-501. doi:10.1002/(sici)1521-3773(19990215)38:43.0.co;2-gYannoni, C. S. (1982). High-resolution NMR in solids: the CPMAS experiment. Accounts of Chemical Research, 15(7), 201-208. doi:10.1021/ar00079a003Tekely, P., Gardiennet, C., Potrzebowski, M. J., Sebald, A., Reichert, D., & Luz, Z. (2002). Probing molecular geometry of solids by nuclear magnetic resonance spin exchange at the n=0 rotational-resonance condition. The Journal of Chemical Physics, 116(17), 7607-7616. doi:10.1063/1.1465416Potrzebowski, M. J., Tadeusiak, E., Misiura, K., Ciesielski, W., Bujacz, G., & Tekely, P. (2002). A New Method for Distinguishing between Enantiomers and Racemates and Assignment of Enantiomeric Purity by Means of Solid-State NMR. Examples from Oxazaphosphorinanes. Chemistry - A European Journal, 8(21), 5007-5011. doi:10.1002/1521-3765(20021104)8:213.0.co;2-bEvans, M. A., & Morken, J. P. (2002). Isotopically Chiral Probes for in Situ High-Throughput Asymmetric Reaction Analysis. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 124(31), 9020-9021. doi:10.1021/ja026703tJames, T. D., Samankumara Sandanayake, K. R. A., & Shinkai, S. (1995). Chiral discrimination of monosaccharides using a fluorescent molecular sensor. Nature, 374(6520), 345-347. doi:10.1038/374345a0(s. f.). doi:10.1021/ja984139Beer, G., Daub, J., & Rurack, K. (2001). Chiral discrimination with a fluorescent boron–dipyrromethene dye. Chemical Communications, (12), 1138-1139. doi:10.1039/b102376bZhao, J., Fyles, T. M., & James, T. D. (2004). Chiral Binol–Bisboronic Acid as Fluorescence Sensor for Sugar Acids. Angewandte Chemie, 116(26), 3543-3546. doi:10.1002/ange.200454033Zhao, J., Fyles, T. M., & James, T. D. (2004). Chiral Binol–Bisboronic Acid as Fluorescence Sensor for Sugar Acids. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 43(26), 3461-3464. doi:10.1002/anie.200454033Pu, L. (2004). Fluorescence of Organic Molecules in Chiral Recognition. Chemical Reviews, 104(3), 1687-1716. doi:10.1021/cr030052hLi, Z.-B., Lin, J., Qin, Y.-C., & Pu, L. (2005). Enantioselective Fluorescent Recognition of a Soluble «Supported» Chiral Acid:  Toward a New Method for Chiral Catalyst Screening. Organic Letters, 7(16), 3441-3444. doi:10.1021/ol0510163Matsushita, M., Yoshida, K., Yamamoto, N., Wirsching, P., Lerner, R. A., & Janda, K. D. (2003). High-Throughput Screening by Using a Blue-Fluorescent Antibody Sensor. Angewandte Chemie, 115(48), 6166-6169. doi:10.1002/ange.200352793Matsushita, M., Yoshida, K., Yamamoto, N., Wirsching, P., Lerner, R. A., & Janda, K. D. (2003). High-Throughput Screening by Using a Blue-Fluorescent Antibody Sensor. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 42(48), 5984-5987. doi:10.1002/anie.200352793Hamberg, A., Lundgren, S., Penhoat, M., Moberg, C., & Hult, K. (2006). High-Throughput Enzymatic Method for Enantiomeric Excess Determination of O-Acetylated Cyanohydrins. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 128(7), 2234-2235. doi:10.1021/ja058474rBusch, K. W., Swamidoss, I. M., Fakayode, S. O., & Busch, M. A. (2003). Determination of the Enantiomeric Composition of Guest Molecules by Chemometric Analysis of the UV−Visible Spectra of Cyclodextrin Guest−Host Complexes. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 125(7), 1690-1691. doi:10.1021/ja025947aFakayode, S. O., Busch, M. A., Bellert, D. J., & Busch, K. W. (2005). Determination of the enantiomeric composition of phenylalanine samples by chemometric analysis of the fluorescence spectra of cyclodextrin guest–host complexes. The Analyst, 130(2), 233-241. doi:10.1039/b405478dABE, Y., YASUOKA, S., SHOJI, T., SUGATA, S., HATTORI, K., IWATA, K., & SUZUKI, H. (2002). Peculiar Chiral Discrimination of Bovine Serum Albumin to (.+-.)-N-Dansyl-norleucine. Analytical Sciences, 18(7), 823-825. doi:10.2116/analsci.18.823Hamblin, J., Abboyi, N., & Lowe, M. P. (2005). A binaphthyl-containing Eu(iii) complex and its interaction with human serum albumin: a luminescence study. Chemical Communications, (5), 657. doi:10.1039/b415464aSingh, S. S., & Mehta, J. (2006). Measurement of drug–protein binding by immobilized human serum albumin-HPLC and comparison with ultrafiltration. Journal of Chromatography B, 834(1-2), 108-116. doi:10.1016/j.jchromb.2006.02.053Hödl, H., Koidl, J., Schmid, M. G., & Gübitz, G. (2006). Chiral resolution of tryptophan derivatives by CE using canine serum albumin and bovine serum albumin as chiral selectors. ELECTROPHORESIS, 27(23), 4755-4762. doi:10.1002/elps.200600425Martínez-Gómez, M. A., Sagrado, S., Villanueva-Camañas, R. M., & Medina-Hernández, M. J. (2007). Enantioseparation of phenotiazines by affinity electrokinetic chromatography using human serum albumin as chiral selector. Analytica Chimica Acta, 582(2), 223-228. doi:10.1016/j.aca.2006.09.036Jiménez, M. C., Miranda, M. A., & Vayá, I. (2005). Triplet Excited States as Chiral Reporters for the Binding of Drugs to Transport Proteins. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 127(29), 10134-10135. doi:10.1021/ja0514489Vayá, I., Bueno, C. J., Jiménez, M. C., & Miranda, M. A. (2006). Use of Triplet Excited States for the Study of Drug Binding to Human and Bovine Serum Albumins. ChemMedChem, 1(9), 1015-1020. doi:10.1002/cmdc.200600061Bohne, C., Barra, M., Boch, R., Abuin, E. B., & Scaiano, J. C. (1992). Excited triplet states as probes in organized systems. An overview of recent results. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 65(1-2), 249-265. doi:10.1016/1010-6030(92)85050-5Jiménez, M. C., Miranda, M. A., Tormos, R., & Vayá, I. (2004). Characterisation of the lowest singlet and triplet excited states of S-flurbiprofen. Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 3(11-12), 1038-1041. doi:10.1039/b408530

Dinámica poblacional de ácaros de las familias Tetranychidae y Phytoseiidae asociados al papayo (Carica papaya L., 1753)

Since the pesticide use has augmented in papaya (Carica papaya L., 1753), phytophagous mite populations have increased, because of the unbalance in populations, causing considerable damage. Thus, the population dynamics and the space-temporary correlation between phytophagous and predatory mites were determined in a papaya agroecosystem in Manlio F. Altamirano, Veracruz, Mexico, with conventional management including pesticides and fertilizers. Collections of three leaves per plant were performed (high, middle and low strata, one leaf each one) in 20 plants, in nine samplings from May 2007 to September 2008. Eotetranychus lewisi (McGregor, 1943) was the most abundant species in all three strata, followed by Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor, 1914) that had major populations in the low and middle strata. The generalist predator Euseius hibisci (Chant, 1959) and the tetranychid-specialized predator Galendromus helveolus (Chant, 1959) were found. Two synchronic population peaks between the group of predatory and phytophagous mite species were found. Positive correlations (r2 from 0.5 to 0.6) between populations of phytophagous and predatory mites were found. Mean temperatures above 30 °C and monthly-accumulated rain above 200 mm caused the decline of E. banksi. Based on the above data, we recommend mite sampling to begin two months from transplant, since favorable environmental conditions for the development of phytophagous mites are present in the Central zone of the State of Veracruz.En el cultivo de papayo (Carica papaya L., 1753), los ácaros fitófagos se han incrementado como resultado de un desbalance en las poblaciones por el uso excesivo de plaguicidas. Dentro de los programas de manejo integrado de plagas, es importante conocer los factores que afectan la densidad poblacional de éstas. Por ello se buscó determinar la correlación espacio temporal de ácaros fitófagos y depredadores en el cultivo de papayo en Manlio F. Altamirano, Veracruz, México. Se utilizó una huerta con manejo convencional, que incluyó la aplicación de fertilizantes y plaguicidas. Se realizaron muestreos de los ácaros en hojas colectadas en los estratos alto, medio y bajo de cada planta, una por estrato, en un total de 20 plantas. Se realizaron nueve muestreos de mayo 2007 a septiembre 2008. Eoetranychus lewisi (McGregor, 1943) fue la especie más abundante en los tres estratos, seguida de Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor, 1914), que tuvo sus mayores poblaciones en los estratos bajo y medio. Se encontró a Euseius hibisci (Chant, 1959), ácaro depredador generalista, y a Galendromus helveolus (Chant, 1959), ácaro depredador especializado en alimentarse de tetraníquidos. Se presentaron dos picos poblacionales sincrónicos entre los grupos de especies de ácaros fitófagos y depredadores. Se mostraron correlaciones positivas (r2 de 0.5 a 0.6) entre las poblaciones de ácaros fitófagos y depredadores. Temperaturas medias superiores a 30 °C y lluvia mensual acumulada superior a 200 mm abatieron las poblaciones de E. banksi. Se recomienda iniciar el muestreo de ácaros desde dos meses después del trasplante, ya que en la zona Centro del estado de Veracruz existen condiciones ambientales favorables para su desarrollo

Pathogenicity and genetic diversity of Fusarium oxysporum isolates from corms of Crocus sativus

a b s t r a c t Crocus sativus is a triploid sterile plant and autumnal flowering geophyte with corms. As a subterranean organ, the corm is susceptible to diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, nematodes and viruses. Fusarium corm rot incited by F. oxysporum is the most destructive disease in saffron, having caused severe yield losses in saffron producer&apos;s countries. Infected plants die off early, resulting in reduction of corm yield, quality and flower and stigma production. Little is known about the formae speciales attacking saffron and less about the relationship among the fungus and the possible hosts. In this study we investigate the formae speciales which colonize saffron and their relationship with some members of iridaceae such as C. vernus (ornamental crocus), gladiolus and narcissus using pathogenicity tests; we determine whether different pathogenic isolates of F. oxysporum can be distinguished by ISSR, and we analyze the genetic relationships and variability among some isolates of these pathogens. We found two formae speciales iridiacearum and croci which attack different iridaceous crops and Crocus sp., respectively and we suggested the creation of a new formae speciales saffrani which shows only pathogenicity on saffron corms. From ISSR analysis, the unweighted paired group method with arithmetic averages cluster analysis (UPGMA) was used to discriminate the F. oxysporum isolates, we were able to differentiate among f. sp. from saffron corms and other formae speciales of F. oxysporum but not among formae speciales iridiacearum, croci and saffrani. Furthermore, we searched for fum1, tri5, tri7 and tri13 genes using PCR assays, however, all the isolates from saffron corms were negative

Caracterización de huertos urbanos y periurbanos de Xalapa de Enríquez, Veracruz

La necesidad de adquirir alimentos de forma adecuada y sana ha llevado a buscar y fortalecer alternativas para su producción; en las ciudades se practica la agricultura urbana y periurbana (AUyP) y Xalapa, Veracruz, México, es un ejemplo de ello. Desde el año 2013 se autogestiono la Red de Agricultura Urbana y Periurbana de Xalapa (RAUPX), en la cual se centró el objetivo de la presente investigación, que consistió en caracterizar los huertos de la RAUPX, en función de las variables: tamaño de huerto, diversidad (índice de Shannon), presencia de artropofauna y prácticas de manejo fitosanitarias; con el fin de diagnosticar y aportar propuestas para mejorar el manejo integrado de plagas. Los resultados incluyen datos generales productor-huerto tales como rango de edad, nivel de estudios, superficie, familias botánicas representativas, presencia de artropofauna en relación con las especies cultivadas y manejo de prácticas fitosanitarias de acuerdo con su complejidad. Las prácticas fitosanitarias que realizan los productores son de forma correctiva en vez de preventiva y están moderadamente relacionadas con la presencia de plagas

Pest risk assessment of Eotetranychus lewisi for the EU territory

Based on the pest categorisation prepared by EFSA, E. lewisi has the potential to be both a quarantine pest, as it fulfils all ISPM 11 criteria, and a Non-Regulated Quarantine Pest, as it fulfils all ISPM 21 criteria. However, it is noted that information on the potential impact is very limited. At the same time, the organism is currently regulated only for plants of Citrus L., Fortunella Swingle, Poncirus Raf. and their hybrids. However, the affected host range is broader than what is currently covered. There are major hosts such as plants of Euphorbia, Rubus, Fragaria, Prunus, Vitis, etc. which are not regulated for this specific organism. In the European Union (EU), it has been found, for example, also on plants of Corokia cotoneaster in 1999. The pathways of spreading are numerous. The Working Group recommends to keep this organism as Union Quarantine Pest. To support further decisions on risk reduction options, the PRA process has to continue. In particular, EFSA is asked to focus further work on the probability of entry of the pest (identification of the pathways), its establishment, as well as further spread after its establishment in the EU. It is important to explore as well the reasons for its absence in the EU. Additional information as regards the degree of impact would be also relevant even though the Working Group above acknowledges the absence of data in this respect