Inferência filogenética revela a complexa etiologia das manchas areolada e foliar em seringueira e em outras espécies cultivadas na Amazônia

A mancha areolada de Thanatephorus é uma das doenças mais importantes da seringueira (Hevea brasiliensis) na Amazônia brasileira. Além da seringueira, o fungo T. cucumeris (fase anamórfica Rhizoctonia solani) causa doenças foliares em outras espécies nativas ou cultivadas na região. Baseando-se na ausência de informações sobre quais os grupos de anastomose (AG) de R. solani estão associados à seringueira e a outros hospedeiros na Amazônia, testou-se a hipótese de que estes isolados pertencem a AG distintos. Também não há informação sobre a patogenicidade cruzada, à seringueira, de isolados provenientes de outros hospedeiros. A determinação do AG foi efetuada com base em análise filogenética da região ITS do rDNA. Concluiu-se que um novo subgrupo de R. solani (o AG-2-2 Hb) é o principal agente causal da mancha areolada em seringueira. Entretanto, isolados de outros AGs (AG-1 IB e ID, AG-4 HGI) e de Ceratobasidium sp. (Rhizoctonia sp. binucleada AG-R), oriundos de hospedeiros distintos, também infectam seringueira. Isto implica diversidade de fonte de inóculo para a sobrevivência e disseminação dos patógenos. de maneira inédita se relata a ocorrência de um novo AG de R. solani infectando citros no Acre, Brasil, distinto dos demais relatados no mundo (provavelmente AG-14).Thanatephorus target spot is one of the most important diseases of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) in the Amazon region of Brazil. In addition to rubber tree, the fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris (anamorphase = Rhizoctonia solani) causes several foliar diseases on other agricultural crops or native species in the region. Based on the lack of information on which anastomosis groups (AG) of R. solani are associated with rubber tree and other hosts in the Amazon, we tested the hypothesis that these isolates belong to distinct AGs. There is no information about the cross pathogenicity (to rubber tree) of isolates from other hosts. The AG was determined based on phylogenetic analyses of the ITS region of the rDNA. We concluded that a new subgroup of R. solani (the AG-2-2 Hb) is the main pathogen causing the rubber tree leaf spot. However, isolates from other AGs (AG-1 IB and ID, AG-4 HGI) and from Ceratobasidium sp. (binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. AG-R) from distinct hosts can also infect the rubber tree. This implicates in diversity of inoculum sources for the survival and spread of the leaf spot pathogens. For the very first time, we report the occurrence of a new AG of R. solani infecting citrus in Acre, Brazil, which is distinct from all the others already described worldwide (probably AG-14).Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data