Suppression subtractive hybridization analysis of genes regulated by magnaporthe oryzae infection in wheat adult plants.

Blast (also known as brusone), caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, is a serious disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) across central and southern Brazil. The pathogen is a hemibiotrophic ascomycete that attacks several grass species. The disease was first described in rice in 1600 in China and it was reported infecting wheat ears in 1985 in Paraná state, Brazil, and since spread to all growing-regions in the country. Currently has been also reported on wheat fields in Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. The rice blast disease has emerged as a model for the study of phytopathogenic fungi showing that this pathogen initially colonizes host tissues as a biotroph, without causing detectable symptoms. Approximately 72?96 h after infection, lesions become apparent in the plant, characterizing the necrotrophic growth of M. oryzae. In wheat plants, depending on the developmental stage at which infection occurs blast can be devastating. Infected heads produce small and wrinkled grains with low specific weight. Few cultivars are described as resistant to wheat blast and fungicides have low control efficiency of the disease. Little is known about the molecular mechanism of wheat resistance to the pathogen. Here, we investigated the responses of wheat to M. oryzae infection in reproductive stage at 40 h after inoculation. The aim of this study was to identify genes that are differentially up- or downregulated in adults plants of Triticum aestivum infected with Magnaporthe oryzae. For this, we used a suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) approach. A total of 420 high-quality contigs were isolated, 415 of them were mapped in Triticum aestivum genome. The 420 contigs were searched against the non-redundant nucleotide and protein databases in GenBank to predict the function for the corresponding genes. Fifty-five contigs corresponded to defense-related genes. We used the quantitative RT-PCR analysis to validate the differential expression patterns for 16 Triticum aestivum genes between control and inoculated spikes. Nine genes presented higher transcript levels under inoculation, including one gene previously described as responsive to Magnaporthe infection on wheat seedlings. This gene coding one protein membrane-associated that may increase the adhesion of the plasma membrane to the cell wall during pathogen infection. In contrast, the other 7 genes presented higher expression in mock-inoculated spikes. The study of these genes and the associated defense mechanisms can provide a significant advance in our understanding of the putative determinants of the resistance mechanisms of this wheat resistant genotype

Il relitto del Molo Sud presso il porto di Malamocco (Venezia)

The paper is dedicated to the complicated underwater archaeological excavation, displacement, temporary lifting, photogrammetric and 3D laserscanner documentation, final protection of the 'wreck of the south pier', at the Malamocco inlet, Venice lagoon. The wreck is attributable to a brig carrying coke coal. The shipwreck dates back to the middle of the 19th century.Il contributo è dedicato ai complessi interventi di scavo archeologico subacqueo, spostamento, sollevamento temporaneo e protezione definitiva del "relitto del molo sud", presso la bocca di porto di Malamocco, laguna di Venezia. Il relitto è riferibile a un brigantino che trasportava carbone coke. Il naufragio si data intorno alla metà del XIX secolo

Role of deep sponge grounds in the Mediterranean Sea: a case study in southern Italy

The Mediterranean spongofauna is relatively well-known for habitats shallower than 100 m, but, differently from oceanic basins, information upon diversity and functional role of sponge grounds inhabiting deep environments is much more fragmentary. Aims of this article are to characterize through ROV image analysis the population structure of the sponge assemblages found in two deep habitats of the Mediterranean Sea and to test their structuring role, mainly focusing on the demosponges Pachastrella monilifera Schmidt, 1868 and Poecillastra compressa (Bowerbank, 1866). In both study sites, the two target sponge species constitute a mixed assemblage. In the Amendolara Bank (Ionian Sea), where P. compressa is the most abundant species, sponges extend on a peculiar tabular bedrock between 120 and 180 m depth with an average total abundance of 7.3 +/- 1.1 specimens m(-2) (approximately 230 gWW m(-2) of biomass). In contrast, the deeper assemblage of Bari Canyon (average total abundance 10.0 +/- 0.7 specimens m(-2), approximately 315 gWW m(-2) of biomass), located in the southwestern Adriatic Sea between 380 and 500 m depth, is dominated by P. monilifera mixed with living colonies of the scleractinian Madrepora oculata Linnaeus, 1758, the latter showing a total biomass comparable to that of sponges (386 gWW m(-2)). Due to their erect growth habit, these sponges contribute to create complex three-dimensional habitats in otherwise homogenous environments exposed to high sedimentation rates and attract numerous species of mobile invertebrates (mainly echinoderms) and fish. Sponges themselves may represent a secondary substrate for a specialized associated fauna, such zoanthids. As demonstrated in oceanic environments sponge beds support also in the Mediterranean Sea locally rich biodiversity levels. Sponges emerge also as important elements of benthic-pelagic coupling in these deep habitats. In fact, while exploiting the suspended organic matter, about 20% of the Bari sponge assemblage is also severely affected by cidarid sea urchin grazing, responsible to cause visible damages to the sponge tissues (an average of 12.1 +/- 1.8 gWW of individual biomass removed by grazing). Hence, in deep-sea ecosystems, not only the coral habitats, but also the grounds of massive sponges represent important biodiversity reservoirs and contribute to the trophic recycling of organic matter

A Biological and Procedural Review of Forensically Significant Dermestes Species (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

The analyses of the insect species found on decomposing remains may provide useful information for the estimation of the minimum time elapsed since death and other parameters, such as causes and circumstances of death. The majority of research has focused on the early colonizing species, typically blowflies, while research concerning late colonizing insects is currently sparse. Dermestid beetles of the genus Dermestes L. (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) are one of the predominant insect species associated with decomposing remains during dry decay and skeletal stages of decomposition. In some dry environments, Dermestes species are likely to be the only necrophagous insects feeding on the decomposing remains. Furthermore, Dermestes species (immature and adults), their remains (cast skins and fecal material), and their artifacts (pupal chambers) are frequently found associated with ancient remains (e.g., mummies, fossils). Dermestes species have a worldwide distribution and are considered important in decomposition processes, forensic investigations, and economically as a known pest of stored products. Despite their recognized forensic importance, there is limited data documenting the ecology, biology, and the growth rates of the forensically relevant species. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive synopsis on the available literature concerning Dermestes species associated with forensic cases. In particular, aspects of colonization behavior, growth rates for forensic taxa and potential best practice guidelines for forensic casework encompassing late colonizing Dermestes species are discussed

Persistence and dispersal in a Southern Hemisphere glaciated landscape: the phylogeography of the spotted snow skink (Niveoscincus ocellatus) in Tasmania

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was to identify the effects of Pleistocene climate change on the distribution of fauna in Tasmania, and contrast this with biotic responses in other temperate regions in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere that experienced glacial activity during this epoch. This was achieved by examining the phylogeographic patterns in a widely distributed Tasmanian endemic reptile, Niveoscincus ocellatus. 204 individuals from 29 populations across the distributional range of N. ocellatus were surveyed for variation at two mitochondrial genes (ND2, ND4), and two nuclear genes (β-globin, RPS8). Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using a range of methods (maximum parsimony, Bayesian inference and haplotype networks), and the demographic histories of populations were assessed (AMOVA, Tajima’s D, Fu’s Fs, mismatch distributions, extended Bayesian skyline plots, and relaxed random walk analyses). RESULTS: There was a high degree of mitochondrial haplotype diversity (96 unique haplotypes) and phylogeographic structure, where spatially distinct groups were associated with Tasmania’s Northeast and a large area covering Southeast and Central Tasmania. Phylogeographic structure was also present within each major group, but the degree varied regionally, being highest in the Northeast. Only the Southeastern group had a signature of demographic expansion, occurring during the Pleistocene but post-dating the Last Glacial Maximum. In contrast, nuclear DNA had low levels of variation and a lack of phylogeographic structure, and further loci should be surveyed to corroborate the mitochondrial inferences. CONCLUSIONS: The phylogeographic patterns of N. ocellatus indicate Pleistocene range and demographic expansion in N. ocellatus, particularly in the Southeast and Central areas of Tasmania. Expansion in Central and Southeastern areas appears to have been more recent in both demographic and spatial contexts, than in Northeast Tasmania, which is consistent with inferences for other taxa of greater stability and persistence in Northeast Tasmania during the Last Glacial Maximum. These phylogeographic patterns indicate contrasting demographic histories of populations in close proximity to areas directly affected by glaciers in the Southern Hemisphere during the LGM. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-015-0397-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users