Spread of a SARS-CoV-2 variant through Europe in the summer of 2020.

Following its emergence in late 2019, the spread of SARS-CoV-21,2 has been tracked by phylogenetic analysis of viral genome sequences in unprecedented detail3–5. Although the virus spread globally in early 2020 before borders closed, intercontinental travel has since been greatly reduced. However, travel within Europe resumed in the summer of 2020. Here we report on a SARS-CoV-2 variant, 20E (EU1), that was identified in Spain in early summer 2020 and subsequently spread across Europe. We find no evidence that this variant has increased transmissibility, but instead demonstrate how rising incidence in Spain, resumption of travel, and lack of effective screening and containment may explain the variant’s success. Despite travel restrictions, we estimate that 20E (EU1) was introduced hundreds of times to European countries by summertime travellers, which is likely to have undermined local efforts to minimize infection with SARS-CoV-2. Our results illustrate how a variant can rapidly become dominant even in the absence of a substantial transmission advantage in favourable epidemiological settings. Genomic surveillance is critical for understanding how travel can affect transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and thus for informing future containment strategies as travel resumes. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited

Ecological and sanitary characteristics of the Eurasian wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi) in Georgia (Caucasian region)

This paper shows the results of the investigation on some ecological aspects and on the sanitary status of the wild Euroasiatic native grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi) in Georgia (South Caucasus). This taxon is seriously endangered by human activities such as forest cleaning and setting fires. Moreover, invasive Vitaceae of the North American origin, imported after phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch) when vineyards were being replanted, increase the risk to lose these spontaneous vines. The survey includes collection of data on the population structure, the plant sex ratio, the main botanical supporters of the vines and the associated flora, the presence of invasive vines of the North American origin and the incidence of phytophagous arthropods and pathogens. The phytosanitary study showed that monophagous eriophyid mites and exotic fungal diseases, such as downy (Plasmopara viticola (Berkeley and Curtis) Berlease and de Toni) and powdery mildews (Erysiphe necator -(Schweinitz) Burrill), cause symptoms on all the observed populations. The absence of symptoms caused by phylloxera, root-knot nematodes and root rot is remarkable. However, the level of detected injuries caused by these parasitic organisms does not seem to be a real problem for the survival of the populations

Biodiversity of pathogenic wood fungi isolated from Xylotrechus arvicola (olivier) galleries in vine shoots

Aim: Grapevine decline caused by wood fungi seriously threatens viticulture worldwide. In Spain, the polyphagous borer Xylotrechus arvicola (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) is becoming a serious pest in different Qualified Designation of Origin (DOC) wine regions The aim of the present work was to identify the fungal species growing in the galleries excavated by X. arvicola larvae inside the vine branches and investigate the possible relationship between wood pathogenic fungi and this borer. Methods and results: Wood samples from branches of Tempranillo vines and Prunus pisardi trees affected by the borer X. arvicola were collected in La Rioja DOC vineyards (Northern Spain) and analyzed for the presence of fungi using both morphological techniques and genetic tools based on Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) sequence. Among the 20 different fungal species/isolates identified, 7 belonged to fungi associated with grapevine decline (esca, Petri disease, and Eutypa dieback), 6 were plant pathogens, 6 were saprophytic and one was entomopathogenic (Beauveria bassiana). Conclusion: The fact that 65% of the fungi detected inside X. arvicola galleries belong to species recognized as plant pathogens suggests that this borer, in addition to causing a progressive decay of the branches, could facilitate the transmission of plant diseases, further threatening the vineyards by spreading grapevine decline pathogens. Significance and impact of the study: The present work represents a first step in recognizing the association between the fungal pathogens associated with grapevine decline and the borer X. arvicola, suggesting a possible role of this insect as a vector in the transmission of these fungi

Traditional medicinal uses of the Eurasian wild grapevine in the Iberian Peninsula

The Iberian Peninsula constitutes the Western limit of the dioecious Eurasian wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris). At present, it is a threatened plant, due to human impacts. This liana has had different uses in this territory from the Paleolithic until the end of the last century, including several medicinal applications, inherited from the classical Greek culture. In order to retrieve the available written information, we carried out an exhaustive bibliographic search of the pharmacopoeia linked to this Vitaceae, from the 16th century to the present day. Current references on chemical composition of different parts of grapevine and their medicinal uses were also covered. In parallel, we conducted research in several archives and made inquiries to historians, anthropologists, and sanitary personnel. We also interviewed elderly people from rural areas of Spain and Portugal where some relic populations of wild grapevine are still conserved. Among the written and oral medicinal uses compiled, the main ones are: the use of the grapevine bleeding water to alleviate eczema and skin eruptions and to combat conjunctivitis and keratitis; the use of must from unripe berries (agua de agraz in Spanish) as liver tonic and to treat digestive diseases; the leaves were used to reduce edema, as antihemorrhoidal, and for menopausal disorders; and finally, the vinegar was used to clean and disinfect wounds both on humans and animals. This paper highlights the tremendous erosion of the traditional knowledge about this relevant plant genetic resource.La Península Ibérica constituye el límite occidental de la euroasiática y dioica vid silvestre (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris). Actualmente la vid silvestre se encuentra amenazada debido al impacto humano. Esta liana tuvo diferentes usos en la península desde el Paleolítico hasta finales del siglo pasado. Entre ellos, como herencia de la cultura griega clásica, aparecen diferentes usos médicos. Para recuperar la información escrita existente, hemos llevado a cabo una búsqueda bibliográfica exhaustiva sobre la farmacopea vinculada a esta Vitaceae, desde el siglo XVI hasta el presente. Incluimos también referencias sobre la composición química de diferentes partes de la vid y sus usos medicinales. Paralelamente, hemos investigado en los archivos de diferentes localidades y realizado consultas a historiadores, antropólogos y personal sanitario. Asimismo, hemos realizado entrevistas a ancianos de diferentes regiones de España y Portugal donde todavía se conservan algunas poblaciones relictas de vid silvestre. Entre la información escrita y oral de los usos medicinales recopilados, mencionaremos el uso del “agua de lloro” de la vid para aliviar eczemas y erupciones cutáneas; para combatir la conjuntivitis y la queratitis; el mosto o “agua de agraz”, como tónico para el hígado y para tratar afecciones digestivas; las hojas para reducir el edema, como antihemorroidales y para trastornos de la menopausia; y por último, el vinagre para limpiar y desinfectar heridas de personas y animales. Este trabajo destaca la tremenda erosión del conocimiento tradicional sobre este recurso fitogenético tan relevante

Effects of Xylotrechus arvicola (Olivier, 1795) infestation on some parameters of grapevine production in Spain

The wood borer Xylotrechus arvicola has recently become a pest of vineyards in most of the productive winegrowing areas of Spain. The activity of its larvae has important consequences on grapevine production. Different production parameters such as bunch length and weight, number of flowers, wood weight, leaf pigments and Baumé degree of the must were registered in Viura and Tempranillo varieties in La Rioja, separating X. arvicola affected and not affected branches on the individual plants. All the considered parameters were influenced by the wood borer activity, except the Baumé degree. Important differences detected in some of the parameters, indicate that Viura cultivar is more damaged than Tempranillo, despite the fact that the last one shows a higher attack by the borer in the field. Considering the increasing infestation by X. arvicola in Spanish grape production areas, our findings allowed to understand the borer action on the plants and indicated that Tempranillo has a higher tolerance to the attack of this borer, with possible consequences in orienting the choices of varieties for winemaking

Protecting a holiday village from termites in a natural park: a challenging experience in Andalusia (Spain)

Abstract Id: ICE2008_1268Introduction: Subterranean termites are a serious threat in urban environments and termite management can be difficult in areas with special constraints. This work was carried out in Priego de Cordoba, a place of great historic and naturalistic relevance in South-Eastern Spain, belonging to the Parque Natural de las Sierras Subbeticas, and the intervention was performed in a holiday village (14000 m2) where an underground spring had been found. Methods: A preliminary inspection showed the presence of Reticulitermes grassei in many buildings of the village so the termite bait system SENTRItm Tech Dow AgroSciences was chosen as the most appropriate. In March 2007, 135 underground monitoring stations were initially installed in the constructions basement vaults, along the buildings perimeter and in the garden areas, covering all the areas where termite damage could have been most probable. Periodical inspections were performed and when active infestations were found, the monitoring wooden sticks were replaced with Hexaflumuron treated baits. Results: Monitoring data revealed that termite infestation was rather uniformly distributed all over the village and had a high potential of serious damage. The highest number of active stations (46%) and the highest number of termites was detected in May. After the baiting program, the number of active stations, number of termites and bait consumption gradually decreased and by October only 4% of the stations was still active.Conclusions: The chosen control method guaranteed protection without negative environmental consequences and additional costs. Early and timely termite management interventions can prevent serious damages and economical losses

Distribución, ecología y caracterzación in situ de la vid silvestre en la Reserva de la Biosfera de Urdaibai (Bizkaia)

Se ha llevado a cabo un estudio sobre las poblaciones de vid silvestre euroasiática, Vitis vinifera L. subp. sylvestris (C.C. Gmel,) Hegi, el la Reserva de la Biosfera de Urdaibai (Bizkaia). En el mismo, se destaca la ausencia de filoxera y otros problemas sanitarios causados por nematodos y hongos en las raíces ; sin embrago, se señalan distintos niveles de ataque provocados por ácaros, oídio y mildiu sobre órganos aéreos. Por otra parte, se incluye una descripción ampelográfica de las parras masculinas y femeninas, asi como un listado de las principales especies botánicas de sus hábitats. Se incide sobre la necesidad de la conservación in situ y ex situ de este recurso fitogenético. Como Urdaibai ha sido una zona tradicional de producción de chacolí, se señalan posibles lineas de investigación, tanto filogenéticas como para el empleo de material silvestre en la mejora de las variedades cultivadas

Genetic isolation and diffusion of wild grapevine Italian and Spanish populations estimated by nuclear and chloroplast SSR analysis

genetic structure of italian and spanish wild grapevine populations was studied using chloroplast and nuclear SSRs. Result show that italian populations are characterized by a high level of heterozygosity and that spanish populations were affected by genetic erosion. The study provides the basis for the preservation of biodiversity of wild grapevines