Genetic diversity and relationships among wild and cultivated Ficus carica L.: Usefulness of RGA markers

Disease resistance and the maintenance of genetic diversity in wild and cultivated populations are very important challenges to implement breeding program and markers assisted selection of Ficus carica L. facing climate change and its consequences. Resistance gene analogs (RGA) markers were used for variety discrimination and assessment of genetic structure and diversity of wild and cultivated Ficus carica L. species in Tunisia. The RGA markers were efficient and reliable markers for discriminating wild and cultivated fig. The high level of polymorphism (95.65) detected suggests the effectiveness of RGAs for both genetic fingerprinting and relationships assessment in wild and cultivated fig. The detected markers may represent candidate genes for disease resistance and could be further used to facilitate the identification of candidate genes and accelerate the genetic improvement of disease resistance in breeding programs of Ficus carica species

Effet de l’anatomie de la feuille sur l’évolution des acariens ériophyides de l’olivier en Tunisie

Le choix de variétés résistantes ou tolérantes aux nuisibles est une voie privilégiée de la lutte intégrée. Face à la recrudescence des acariens ériophyides (Aceria oleae Nalepa et Oxycenus maxwelli Keifer) sur les oliviers en Tunisie, aussi bien en pépinière qu’en verger, nous avons étudié la sensibilité à ces phytophages de 12 variétés : Arbequina, Chemchali, Chemlali Ontha, Chemlali Sfax, Chemlali Zarzis, Chétoui, Koroneiki, Meski, Oueslati, Picholine, Zalmati et Zarrazi. Les variétés d’olives à huile sont plus infestées que les variétés d’olives de table. L’étude histologique des feuilles montre que les variétés ayant une cuticule plus épaisse (Chétoui, Picholine, Oueslati et Zarrazi) sont moins infestées par ces acariens. Les épaisseurs seuils permettant de limiter la détérioration de l’acidité de l’huile induite par les acariens sont de 3,9 μm sur la face inférieure et 7,52 μm sur la face supérieure. La variété de table Meski, malgré une épaisseur de la cuticule inférieure à ces seuils, montre une résistance, en dehors de la période de floraison, ce qui suggère l’implication d’autres formes de résistance telles que la synthèse de composés biochimiques spécifiques

Phytophagous and predatory mites on olive trees in Tunisia. Catalogue, description of one new species and key for identification (Acari, Eriophyidae, Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae and Phytoseiidae)

International audienceDespite the importance of olive trees in Tunisia, very little is known about mite populations. A survey of phytophagous and predatory mites species in 21 orchards distributed over several sites was conducted from 2007 to 2013. During this study, 14 species of predatory mites along with 5 species of phytophagous mites were collected and identified. Almost all species are newly identified from olive trees, five of them are new to the Tunisian fauna and one species is new to Science. This paper provides a catalogue of these species and elements on their biogeographical distribution and biology. Identification keys are also provided. The Phytoseiidae species described in this study may provide new opportunities for the integrated pest management of Eriophyidae and Tenuipalpidae mites on olive trees

Analyse de la diversité génétique de cultivars tunisiens de figuier (

Introduction. Une étude a été réalisée pour évaluer la variabilité génétique d'une collection d'écotypes de figuier (Ficus carica L.) établie dans la région du Sahel, en Tunisie. Elle a été basée sur l'observation de caractères morphologiques relatifs au développement végétatif de l'arbre. Matériel et méthodes. Les mensurations de feuilles et rameaux de 17 écotypes de figuiers tunisiens ont été mesurées à raison de deux arbres échantillonnés par cultivar. Les résultats ont été soumis à une analyse de variance et à des analyses multivariées qui ont permis d'obtenir une matrice des corrélations entre caractères mesurés et une table des distances de Mahalanobis entre les écotypes. Résultats et discussion. La variabilité intracultivar s'est révélée très faible. En revanche, la diversité intercultivar apparaît très importante et cela indépendamment de l'origine géographique et du sexe de la plante. Conclusion. Quelques paramètres morphologiques ont permis de bien différencier les cultivars. Ils pourraient être utilisés comme descripteurs chez cette espèce

HHV8/EBV Coinfection Lymphoproliferative Disorder: Rare Entity with a Favorable Outcome

HHV8/EBV-associated germinotropic lymphoproliferative disorder (GLD) is a challenging diagnosis given its rarity, the particular clinical presentation, and the lack of expression of markers usually used in establishing hematopoietic lineage. We report a new case of HHV8/EBV GLD in an immunocompetent 78-year-old woman. The diagnosis was made in an incidentally discovered lymphadenopathy. Histological examination showed a nodular lymphoid proliferation centered by aggregates of atypical plasmablastic cells admixed with small lymphoid cells. Tumor cells were strongly positive with EMA, HHV8, LMP1, CD38, CD138, and kappa light chains. They were negative with common lymphoma-associated markers (CD20, CD3, CD15, CD30, CD10, and bcl2). In situ hybridization confirmed the monotypic kappa light chains and the EBV infection (EBER+). A polyclonal pattern of Ig gene rearrangement was detected by PCR analysis. In the adjacent lymph node parenchyma, some germinal centers mimicked Castleman disease. In this case, the differential diagnosis was discussed with an early stage of large B-cell lymphoma arising in HHV8-associated multicentric Castleman disease. The clinical presentation, the immunophenotype, and the molecular results helped to make the accurate diagnosis. Through the review of the nine previously reported cases in literature, we discuss the clinical and pathologic features and the differential diagnosis of HHV8/EBV GLD

Tunisian fig (

Introduction. Ficus carica L., well adapted to the Mediterranean climate, is ubiquitous in Tunisia. In spite of the large possibilities of its adaptation to the Tunisian climate, its cultivation remains traditional. In Tunisia, this species is represented by a large number of varieties which are facing genetic erosion. To save these genetic resources, we studied some of the Tunisian varieties using molecular markers. The aim of this analysis was to study the genetic diversity of some cultivars and to characterize them. Materials and methods. Six microsatellites were used to characterize 16 cultivars (Ficus carica L.) belonging to two fig tree collections in the south of Tunisia. Results. The molecular markers used appeared highly polymorphic in common fig trees since 4–12 alleles per locus and a mean of heterozygoty of 0.656 were scored. The resolving power (Rp) of the six microsatellites tested ranged from 2.12 to 3.87 for the 16 cultivars studied, showing a significant genetic diversity (Ht = 0.762). Genetic differentiation between geographical groups was low (Gst = 0.032). The factorial correspondence analysis showed no well-defined relation between the 16 cultivars and their geographical origin. The genotype patterns allowed us to discriminate all of the cultivars. Conclusion. The characterization of the accessions belonging to different varieties was possible, showing the power and efficiency of the molecular tools used

Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Tunisia: catalogue, biogeography, and key for identification

6. European Congress of the European Association of Acarologists Integrative Acarology. Montpellier, 2008/07/21-25, 197-207The authors give a report on results of several surveys carried out to collect Phytoseiid mites, between1994 and 2008, from the main crops and surrounding vegetation in some regions of Tunisia. Acatalogue of all species found is provided with some information on their biology, when available, andbiogeography. Almost all species are new to Tunisian and two to African fauna. One genus and onespecies are new to Science and previously described. A key for the identification of the species found isalso provided

Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Tunisia: catalogue, biogeography and key for identification

The authors give a report on results of several surveys carried out to collect Phytoseiid mites, between 1994 and 2008, from the main crops and surrounding vegetation in some regions of Tunisia. A catalogue of all species found is provided with some information on their biology, when available, and biogeography. Almost all species are new to Tunisian and two to African fauna. One genus and one species are new to Science and previously described. A key for the identification of the species found is also provided

Spirometric “Lung Age” estimation for North African population

Background: Published reference equations predicting Estimated-Lung-Age (ELA) did not reliably predict Chronological-Lung-Age (CLA) data in North African population. Aims: To develop and to validate novel reference equations for ELA from varied anthropometric data and FEV1. Methods: Applying multiple regression analysis, equations predicting ELA were invented using data from 540 never-smokers with normal spirometry (group I). Validation was made based on data from 41 never-smokers with normal spirometry (group II). Equations were further applied for 91 subjects with confirmed COPD. Results: Novel regression equations allowing prediction of reference value of ELA and normal limits of difference between ELA and CLA were elaborated in both sexes. In males, ELA (yrs) = 42.85 − 20.74 × FEV1 (L) + 47.41 × Body Surface Area (m2) − 0.62 × Body-Mass-Index (BMI, kg/m2). In females, ELA (yrs) = 64.64 − 8.00 × FEV1 (L) − 0.17 × BMI (kg/m2) + 8.82 × Height (m). Normal limits of difference between ELA and CLA were ±16.9 yrs in males and ±14.8 yrs in females. Established equations predicted ELA of group II with no significant difference between CLA and ELA in either sex (respectively, 42.9 ± 16.6 vs. 40.3 ± 13.7 yrs in males, 42.0 ± 13.5 vs. 45.6 ± 7.7 yrs in females) ELA was significantly older than CLA age only in COPD with grades III and IV ((ELA minus CLA) (yrs) averaged, respectively, +21.7, +26.4). Conclusion: North African reference equations enrich the World Bank of reference equations from which the physician should choose according to the patient’s ethnic background