Scientific results of the Bryotrop expedition to Zaire and Rwanda : 7., life strategies of epiphytic bryophytes from tropical lowland and montane forests, ericaceous woodlands and the Dendrosenecio subpáramo of the eastern Congo basin and the adjacent mountains (Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega/Zaire, Forêt de Nyungwe/Rwanda)

Life strategies of epiphytic bryophytes are studied along an altitudinal gradient from the eastern Congo basin (tropical lowland zone) to the mountains of the East-African graben (tropical subalpine/alpine Zone; BRYOTROP III-transect). Three strategies, Colonists, Perennial shuttle species and Perennial stayers can be observed, which are further subdivided according to their reproduction tactic (high sexual reproductive effort, high asexual reproductive effort, moderately or low sexual and asexual reproductive effort). Of these, only taxa with a long life span (perennials) are of importance, indicating the unchanging and constant ecological conditions and long-lasting microsites, provided by the epiphytic habitats. The basis for the life strategy pattern analysis along the altitudinal gradient were plant sociological investigations and the determination of the mean percentage cover values for the different life strategy categories. By this, the distribution and occurrence of the different strategies within the communities and the altitudinal zones can be shown

Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der BRYOTROP-Expedition nach Zaire und Rwanda : 6., Lebensformen und Adaptionen zur Wasserleitung und Wasserspeicherung in epiphytischen Moosgesellschaften im östlichen Kongobecken und den angrenzenden Gebirgsstöcken (Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega/Zaire, Forêt de Nyungwe/ Rwanda)

Life forms, water conducting and water storing structures of epiphytic bryophytes are studied along an altitudinal gradient from the eastern Congo basin (tropical lowand zone) to the mountains of the East-African graben (tropical subalpine/alpine zone; BRYOTROP III-transect). Based on a phytosociological analysis, these adaptations were put in relation to the distribution pattern of the bryophyte communities, as well as to the ecological gradient. The interpretation is based on the mean percent cover of each group. The tropical lowland zone is dominated by the life form mat, which is distinctly correlated with watersacs and taxa of the Jubulaceae, Lejeuneaceae and Radulaceae. In the following perhumid montane zone a clear alteration concerning the life form and the adaptations can be observed. The physiognomy of the primary rain-forests now is dominated by fan-forming Plagiochila species which are standing off the phorophyte by its flattened shoots. They are able to condensate water vapour from the fogs as well as using the low light intensities. Within the epiphytes of the bamboo zone of the upper montane zone, similar adaptation strategies to those of the lowland zone can be observed. The communities of the anthropogeneous montane woodlands of this zone, which are rich in mosses, show an ecomorphological wide spectrum [weft and tall-turfs correlated with a central strand (hadrome), hyalocysts and rhizoids]. Within the tropical subalpine/alpine zone exposed to great diurnal variations of climate, mat, weft and cushion-forming tall-turfs dominate, indicating the more xeric conditions (drought stress) by 88 water storing structures (alar cells, central strand, hyalocysts, rhizoids). In this zone, also structures reach a high mean percent cover, which enables the condensation of water vapour from the fog and mist rising from the upper montane zone or which show a groove-like arrangement of the leaflets. This may be recognized as a mechanism enabling a permanent water supply as well as a drain off of surplus water.Aufbauend auf einer pflanzensoziologischen Analyse werden die Lebensformen und die wasserleitenden und wasserspeichernden Strukturen epiphytischer Bryophyten entlang eines Transektes vom östlichen Kongobecken (Tieflandstufe) zum zentralafrikanischen Grabenrand (tropischsubalpine/ alpine Stufe; BRYOTROP III-Transekt) analysiert und in Beziehung zu den Moosgesellschaften und dem ökologischen Höhenstufengradienten gesetzt. Grundlage für die Interpretation ist der mittlere Gruppenmengenanteil. In der tropischen Tieflandstufe dominiert die Lebensform Decke, die eine auffallende Korrelation zu dem Strukturmerkmal Wassertasche und Wassersack sowie Sippen der Verwandtschaftskreise Jubulaceae, Lejeuneaceae und Radulaceae zeigt. In der sich anschließenden humiden Bergwaldstufe kommt es zu einem deutlichen Wechsel im Lebensformen- und Anpassungsspektrum. Wedelbildende Plagiochila- Arten bestimmen die Physiognomie der primären Regenwälder, deren abstehendes, planares Sproßsystem sich sowohl zum Nebelkämmen (Wasserdampfkondensation) eignet als auch als Anpassung an die lichtarmen Bedingungen interpretiert wird. Sonderfälle stellen in der oberen Bergwaldstufe die Epiphyten der Bergbambuswälder, mit ähnlichen Anpassungssyndromen wie die der Tieflandstufe, und die der offeneren, anthropogenen Bergwälder dar, deren laubmoosreiche Gesellschaften ökomorphologisch reicher strukturiert sind (Korrelation von Filz und Hochrasen mit Hyalozyten, Rhizoidenfilz und Zentralstrang). In der durch starke Klimaschwankungen gekennzeichneten tropisch-subalpinen Stufe dominieren Decke, Filz und posterförmige Hochrasen, die durch wasserspeichernde Strukturen (Alarzellen, Hyalozyten, Rhizoidenfilz, Zentralstrang) auf die bereits xerischen Bedingungen (Trockenstress) hindeuten. Hohe Anteile im Spektrum erreichen hier aber auch Strukturen zum Nebelkämmen (Nutzung der aus der Bergwaldstufe häufig aufsteigenden Treibnebel) und die Rinnenbildung

Finding needles in haystacks:Linking scientific names, reference specimens and molecular data for Fungi

DNA phylogenetic comparisons have shown that morphology-based species recognition often underestimates fungal diversity. Therefore, the need for accurate DNA sequence data, tied to both correct taxonomic names and clearly annotated specimen data, has never been greater. Furthermore, the growing number of molecular ecology and microbiome projects using high-throughput sequencing require fast and effective methods for en masse species assignments. In this article, we focus on selecting and re-annotating a set of marker reference sequences that represent each currently accepted order of Fungi. The particular focus is on sequences from the internal transcribed spacer region in the nuclear ribosomal cistron, derived from type specimens and/or ex-type cultures. Reannotated and verified sequences were deposited in a curated public database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), namely the RefSeq Targeted Loci (RTL) database, and will be visible during routine sequence similarity searches with NR_prefixed accession numbers. A set of standards and protocols is proposed to improve the data quality of new sequences, and we suggest how type and other reference sequences can be used to improve identification of Fungi.The Intramural Research Programs of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine and the National Human Genome Research Institute, both at the National Institutes of Health.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/PRJNA177353am201

Fusarium: more than a node or a foot-shaped basal cell

Recent publications have argued that there are potentially serious consequences for researchers in recognising distinct genera in the terminal fusarioid clade of the family Nectriaceae. Thus, an alternate hypothesis, namely a very broad concept of the genus Fusarium was proposed. In doing so, however, a significant body of data that supports distinct genera in Nectriaceae based on morphology, biology, and phylogeny is disregarded. A DNA phylogeny based on 19 orthologous protein-coding genes was presented to support a very broad concept of Fusarium at the F1 node in Nectriaceae. Here, we demonstrate that re-analyses of this dataset show that all 19 genes support the F3 node that represents Fusarium sensu stricto as defined by F. sambucinum (sexual morph synonym Gibberella pulicaris). The backbone of the phylogeny is resolved by the concatenated alignment, but only six of the 19 genes fully support the F1 node, representing the broad circumscription of Fusarium. Furthermore, a re-analysis of the concatenated dataset revealed alternate topologies in different phylogenetic algorithms, highlighting the deep divergence and unresolved placement of various Nectriaceae lineages proposed as members of Fusarium. Species of Fusarium s. str. are characterised by Gibberella sexual morphs, asexual morphs with thin- or thick-walled macroconidia that have variously shaped apical and basal cells, and trichothecene mycotoxin production, which separates them from other fusarioid genera. Here we show that the Wollenweber concept of Fusarium presently accounts for 20 segregate genera with clear-cut synapomorphic traits, and that fusarioid macroconidia represent a character that has been gained or lost multiple times throughout Nectriaceae. Thus, the very broad circumscription of Fusarium is blurry and without apparent synapomorphies, and does not include all genera with fusarium-like macroconidia, which are spread throughout Nectriaceae (e.g., Cosmosporella, Macroconia, Microcera). In this study four new genera are introduced, along with 18 new species and 16 new combinations. These names convey information about relationships, morphology, and ecological preference that would otherwise be lost in a broader definition of Fusarium. To assist users to correctly identify fusarioid genera and species, we introduce a new online identification database, Fusarioid-ID, accessible at www.fusarium.org. The database comprises partial sequences from multiple genes commonly used to identify fusarioid taxa (act1, CaM, his3, rpb1, rpb2, tef1, tub2, ITS, and LSU). In this paper, we also present a nomenclator of names that have been introduced in Fusarium up to January 2021 as well as their current status, types, and diagnostic DNA barcode data. In this study, researchers from 46 countries, representing taxonomists, plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, and students, strongly support the application and use of a more precisely delimited Fusarium (= Gibberella) concept to accommodate taxa from the robust monophyletic node F3 on the basis of a well-defined and unique combination of morphological and biochemical features. This F3 node includes, among others, species of the F. fujikuroi, F. incarnatum-equiseti, F. oxysporum, and F. sambucinum species complexes, but not species of Bisifusarium [F. dimerum species complex (SC)], Cyanonectria (F. buxicola SC), Geejayessia (F. staphyleae SC), Neocosmospora (F. solani SC) or Rectifusarium (F. ventricosum SC). The present study represents the first step to generating a new online monograph of Fusarium and allied fusarioid genera (www.fusarium.org)

Finding needles in haystacks : linking scientific names, reference specimens and molecular data for Fungi

DNA phylogenetic comparisons have shown that morphology-based species recognition often underestimates fungal diversity. Therefore, the need for accurate DNA sequence data, tied to both correct taxonomic names and clearly annotated specimen data, has never been greater. Furthermore, the growing number of molecular ecology and microbiome projects using high-throughput sequencing require fast and effective methods for en masse species assignments. In this article, we focus on selecting and re-annotating a set of marker reference sequences that represent each currently accepted order of Fungi. The particular focus is on sequences from the internal transcribed spacer region in the nuclear ribosomal cistron, derived from type specimens and/or ex-type cultures. Reannotated and verified sequences were deposited in a curated public database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), namely the RefSeq Targeted Loci (RTL) database, and will be visible during routine sequence similarity searches with NR_prefixed accession numbers. A set of standards and protocols is proposed to improve the data quality of new sequences, and we suggest how type and other reference sequences can be used to improve identification of Fungi.The Intramural Research Programs of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine and the National Human Genome Research Institute, both at the National Institutes of Health.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/PRJNA177353am201

Predicting the next pandemic: VACCELERATE ranking of the World Health Organization's Blueprint for Action to Prevent Epidemics

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO)'s Research and Development (R&D) Blueprint for Action to Prevent Epidemics, a plan of action, highlighted several infectious diseases as crucial targets for prevention. These infections were selected based on a thorough assessment of factors such as transmissibility, infectivity, severity, and evolutionary potential. In line with this blueprint, the VACCELERATE Site Network approached infectious disease experts to rank the diseases listed in the WHO R&D Blueprint according to their perceived risk of triggering a pandemic. VACCELERATE is an EU-funded collaborative European network of clinical trial sites, established to respond to emerging pandemics and enhance vaccine development capabilities. Methods: Between February and June 2023, a survey was conducted using an online form to collect data from members of the VACCELERATE Site Network and infectious disease experts worldwide. Participants were asked to rank various pathogens based on their perceived risk of causing a pandemic, including those listed in the WHO R&D Blueprint and additional pathogens. Results: A total of 187 responses were obtained from infectious disease experts representing 57 countries, with Germany, Spain, and Italy providing the highest number of replies. Influenza viruses received the highest rankings among the pathogens, with 79 % of participants including them in their top rankings. Disease X, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and Ebola virus were also ranked highly. Hantavirus, Lassa virus, Nipah virus, and henipavirus were among the bottom-ranked pathogens in terms of pandemic potential. Conclusion: Influenza, SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and Ebola virus were found to be the most concerning pathogens with pandemic potential, characterised by transmissibility through respiratory droplets and a reported history of epidemic or pandemic outbreaks