Seasonal Succession of Fungi Associated with Ips typographus Beetles and Their Phoretic Mites in an Outbreak Region of Finland

Insight into the genomes of dominant yeast symbionts of European spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus

Spruce bark beetle Ips typographus can trigger outbreaks on spruce that results in significant losses in the forest industry. It has been suggested that symbiotic microorganisms inhabiting the gut of bark beetles facilitate the colonization of plant tissues as they play a role in the detoxification of plant secondary metabolites, degrade plant cell wall and ameliorate beetle's nutrition. In this study, we sequenced and functionally annotated the genomes of five yeasts Kuraishia molischiana, Cryptococcus sp., Nakazawaea ambrosiae, Ogataea ramenticola, and Wickerhamomyces bisporus isolated from the gut of Ips typographus. Genome analysis identified 5314, 7050, 5722, 5502, and 5784 protein coding genes from K. molischiana, Cryptococcus sp., N. ambrosiae, O. ramenticola, and W. bisporus, respectively. Protein-coding sequences were classified into biological processes, cellular and molecular function based on gene ontology terms enrichment. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotation was used to predict gene functions. All analyzed yeast genomes contain full pathways for the synthesis of essential amino acids and vitamin B6, which have nutritional importance to beetle. Furthermore, their genomes contain diverse gene families related to the detoxification processes. The prevalent superfamilies are aldo-keto reductase, ATP-binding cassette and the major facilitator transporters. The phylogenetic relationships of detoxification-related enzymes aldo-keto reductase, and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, and ATP-binding cassette are presented. Genome annotations also revealed presence of genes active in lignocellulose degradation. In vitro analyses did not confirm enzymatic endolytic degradation of lignocellulose; however, all species can utilize and pectin and produce a large spectrum of exolytic enzymes attacking cellulose, chitin, and lipids.

Ophiostomatoid fungi synergize attraction of the Eurasian spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus to its aggregation pheromone in field traps

Eurasian spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus is a destructive pest of the Norway spruce (Picea abies). Recent outbreaks in Europe have been attributed to global warming and other anthropogenic impacts. Bark beetles are guided by multiple complex olfactory cues throughout their life cycle. Male-produced aggregation pheromones, comprising 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol and cis-verbenol, have been identified as the most powerful attractants for dispersing conspecifics. In addition to host trees, bark beetles interact with multiple organisms, including symbiotic ophiostomatoid fungi, which may promote beetle colonization success and offspring development. Previously, in a short-distance laboratory assay, we demonstrated that I. typographus adults are attracted to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by three symbiotic fungi: Grosmannia penicillata, Endoconidiophora polonica, and Leptographium europhioides. Furthermore, the abundant fusel alcohols and their acetates were found to be the most attractive odorants in the fungal VOC profile. In this study, using a long-distance field-trapping experiment, we analyzed the role of fungal VOCs as attractants for dispersing I. typographus. Two types of fungal lures were tested in combination with pheromones in traps: (1) live cultures of fungi grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and (2) dispensers containing synthetic fusel alcohols and their acetates in equal proportions. Subsequently, the composition of VOCs emitted from live fungal lures were analyzed. We found that the symbiotic fungi synergistically increased the attraction of beetles to pheromones in field traps and the attractiveness of live fungal lures depended on the fungal load. While one Petri dish with E. polonica, when combined with pheromones synergistically increased trapping efficiency, three Petri dishes with L. europhioides were required to achieve the same. The synthetic mix of fungal fusel alcohols and acetates improved the catch efficiency of pheromones only at a low tested dose. VOC analysis of fungal cultures revealed that all the three fungi produced fusel alcohols and acetates but in variable composition and amounts. Collectively, the results of this study show that, in addition to pheromones, bark beetles might also use volatile cues from their symbiotic fungi to improve tree colonization and reproductive success in their breeding and feeding sites.

Ophiostomatoid species associated with pine trees (Pinus spp.) infested by Cryphaluspiceae from eastern China, including five new species

Cryphaluspiceae attacks various economically important conifers. Similar to other bark beetles, Cr.piceae plays a role as a vector for an assortment of fungi and nematodes. Previously, several ophiostomatoid fungi were isolated from Cr.piceae in Poland and Japan. In the present study, we explored the diversity of ophiostomatoid fungi associated with Cr.piceae infesting pines in the Shandong Province of China. We isolated ophiostomatoid fungi from both galleries and beetles collected from our study sites. These fungal isolates were identified using both molecular and morphological data. In this study, we recovered 175 isolates of ophiostomatoid fungi representing seven species. Ophiostomaips was the most frequently isolated species. Molecular and morphological data indicated that five ophiostomatoid fungal species recovered were previously undescribed. Thus, we proposed these five novel species as Ceratocystiopsisyantaiensis, C.weihaiensis, Graphilbumtranslucens, Gr.niveum, and Sporothrixvillosa. These new ophiostomatoid fungi add to the increasing number of fungi known from China, and this evidence suggests that numerous novel taxa are awaiting discovery in other forests of China.

Fungal Interactions and Host Tree Preferences in the Spruce Bark Beetle Ips typographus

The spruce bark beetle Ips typographus is the most damaging pest in European spruce forests and has caused great ecological and economic disturbances in recent years. Although native to Eurasia, I. typographus has been intercepted more than 200 times in North America and could establish there as an exotic pest if it can find suitable host trees. Using in vitro bioassays, we compared the preference of I. typographus for its coevolved historical host Norway spruce (Picea abies) and two non-coevolved (naïve) North American hosts: black spruce (Picea mariana) and white spruce (Picea glauca). Additionally, we tested how I. typographus responded to its own fungal associates (conspecific fungi) and to fungi vectored by the North American spruce beetle Dendroctonus rufipennis (allospecific fungi). All tested fungi were grown on both historical and naïve host bark media. In a four-choice Petri dish bioassay, I. typographus readily tunneled into bark medium from each of the three spruce species and showed no preference for the historical host over the naïve hosts. Additionally, the beetles showed a clear preference for bark media colonized by fungi and made longer tunnels in fungus-colonized media compared to fungus-free media. The preference for fungus-colonized media did not depend on whether the medium was colonized by conspecific or allospecific fungi. Furthermore, olfactometer bioassays demonstrated that beetles were strongly attracted toward volatiles emitted by both con- and allospecific fungi. Collectively, these results suggest that I. typographus could thrive in evolutionary naïve spruce hosts if it becomes established in North America. Also, I. typographus could probably form and maintain new associations with local allospecific fungi that might increase beetle fitness in naïve host trees.

Disparity of Phoresy in Mesostigmatid Mites upon Their Specific Carrier Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Scolytinae)

Ips typographus Linnaeus, 1758, the most important pest of Norway spruce (Picea abies Linnaeus, 1753) from Eurasia has damaged, in the last decades, a large area of forest in Romania. Associations between beetles and their symbiotic fungi are well known compared to beetle-mite relationships. The objectives of the study are to determine: (i) the diversity of mites species associated with I. typographus in a local outbreak from Central Romania; (ii) the mite's preferences concerning the body parts of their carriers; and (iii) how phoresy changes during seasonal flight activity of the host. A total of 7896 adult I. typographus were analyzed and six mite species (both adults and immature stages) were found: Dendrolaelaps quadrisetus Berlese,1920, Proctolaelaps fiseri Samsinak, 1960, Trichouropoda polytricha Vitzthum, 1923, Histiostoma piceae Scheucher, 1957, Uroobovella ipidis Vitzthum, 1923, and Uroobovella vinicolora Vitzthum, 1926. Most mites were observed under the carriers' elytra (46.8%), while 26.7% and 25.8% were seen on the thorax and elytral declivities, respectively. Mite phoresy peaked in the spring corresponding to the dispersal flight of the carrier. A smaller peak in phoresy occurred in the summer during the second beetle generation.

Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with mites phoretic on bark beetles in Qinghai, China

Bark beetle galleries are complex ecosystems where many microbes and other arthropods co-exist with the beetles. Fungi isolated from these galleries are often referred to as ‘beetle associates’, but the nature of these associations are poorly understood. The possibility that many of these fungi might in fact be mite associates is often overlooked. Several recent studies explored the diversity of fungi from conifer-infesting bark beetles and their galleries in China, but only one study considered phoretic mites and their fungi from conifer-infesting bark beetles in Yunnan, southwestern China. We studied the mites and fungi from galleries of four spruce-infesting bark beetle species in the high altitude forests of Qinghai province, western China. Mites were identified based on morphological characteristics, and fungi based on DNA sequences of four gene regions. In total, 173 mite individuals were collected belonging to 18 species in 11 genera. A total of 135 fungal isolates were obtained from the mites, representing 14 taxa from the Ophiostomatales. The most frequently isolated fungus was Ophiostoma nitidum, which represented 23.5% of the total isolates. More fungal species were found from fewer mites and bark beetle species than from the study in Yunnan. Although we could not elucidate the exact nature of interactions between mites and their fungi, our results re-enforce that these organisms should not be ignored in pest risk assessments of bark beetles, that often focus only on the beetles and their fungi. Three new species are described: Grosmannia zekuensis, O. manchongi, and O. kunlunense spp. nov., and our data revealed that O. typographi, recently described from China, is a synonym of O. ainoae.

Is Decreased Xylem Sap Surface Tension Associated With Embolism and Loss of Xylem Hydraulic Conductivity in Pathogen-Infected Norway Spruce Saplings?

Increased abiotic stress along with increasing temperatures, dry periods and forest disturbances may favor biotic stressors such as simultaneous invasion of bark beetle and ophiostomatoid fungi. It is not fully understood how tree desiccation is associated with colonization of sapwood by fungi. A decrease in xylem sap surface tension (σ_xylem) as a result of infection has been hypothesized to cause xylem embolism by lowering the threshold for air-seeding at the pits between conduits and disruptions in tree water transport. However, this hypothesis has not yet been tested. We investigated tree water relations by measuring the stem xylem hydraulic conductivity (K_stem), σ_xylem, stem relative water content (RWC_stem), and water potential (Ψ_stem), and canopy conductance (g_canopy), as well as the compound composition in xylem sap in Norway spruce (Picea abies) saplings. We conducted our measurements at the later stage of Endoconidiophora polonica infection when visible symptoms had occurred in xylem. Saplings of two clones (44 trees altogether) were allocated to treatments of inoculated, wounded control and intact control trees in a greenhouse. The saplings were destructively sampled every second week during summer 2016. σ_xylem, K_stem and RWC_stem decreased following the inoculation, which may indicate that decreased σ_xylem resulted in increased embolism. g_canopy did not differ between treatments indicating that stomata responded to Ψ_stem rather than to embolism formation. Concentrations of quinic acid, myo-inositol, sucrose and alkylphenol increased in the xylem sap of inoculated trees. Myo-inositol concentrations also correlated negatively with σ_xylem and K_stem. Our study is a preliminary investigation of the role of σ_xylem in E. polonica infected trees based on previous hypotheses. The results suggest that E. polonica infection can lead to a simultaneous decrease in xylem sap surface tension and a decline in tree hydraulic conductivity, thus hampering tree water transport.

Health Assessment and Genetic Structure of Monumental Norway Spruce Trees during A Bark Beetle (Ips typographus L.) Outbreak in the Białowieża Forest District, Poland

A current ongoing unprecedented outbreak of Ips typographus (L.) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in the Białowieża Primeval Forest (BPF) has nearly eliminated Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) as a major forest tree species there, since over 1 million trees have died. In this part of Europe, Norway spruce has grown for hundreds of years, previously accounting for 30% of forest species composition. The aim of this study was to evaluate 47 “Monuments of Nature” of Norway spruce as follows: (i) their current health status in the managed forests of Białowieża Forest District; (ii) possible causes and changes in their health during the last bark beetle outbreak; and (iii) potential losses from the gene pool. Our findings from ground and remote sensing inventories showed that only 12 out of 47 (25%) monumental trees protected by law survived until 2017 in the study area. The rest (75%) of the investigated trees had died. An analysis of meteorological data from Białowieża suggested that the beginning of the I. typographus outbreak in 2012 was associated with diminishing precipitation during growing seasons prior to this time and subsequent increases in annual temperature, coupled with heavy storms in 2017 toppling weakened trees. A comparison of old-growth “Monuments of Nature” spruce in the region (n = 47, average age 225 years) to seven reference spruce stands (n = 281, average age 132 years) revealed a loss of unique genetic features based on frequencies of eleven nuclear microsatellite loci. Although all studied populations had similar genetic background (FST(without NA) = 0.003 and no STRUCTURE clustering), all monumental spruce trees shared the highest parameters such as the mean observed and expected number of alleles per locus (Na = 15.909 and Ne = 7.656, respectively), mean allelic richness (AR(11) = 8.895), mean private alleles (Apriv = 0.909), and mean Shannon diversity index (I = 1.979) in comparison to the younger stands. Our results demonstrate that the loss of the old spruce trees will entail the loss of genetic variability of the Norway spruce population within the exceptionally valuable Białowieża Primeval Forest.

Diversity of Trametes (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) in tropical Benin and description of new species Trametes parvispora

Trametes is a globally distributed genus of white-rot polypores and well sampled in temperate and boreal areas. However, the diversity, taxonomy, and phylogenetic positions of Trametes spp. are poorly known in tropical Africa. This study aims at documenting the diversity of Trametes species in Benin (tropical Africa) and their phylogenetic positions with a focus on the T.elegans species complex. Therefore, we collected specimens of Trametes from different forest types across Benin. To infer phylogenetic relationships between Trametes species, we investigated sequences of five gene regions and added available sequences from GenBank. Using Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogeny inference methods, we found eight supported species clades. For the T.elegans species complex, we re-establish the name Trametespalisotii for species previously known as T.elegans in tropical Africa. Furthermore, we propose Trametesparvispora as a species new to science and provide the description of this species. Our molecular phylogeny of Trametes with a focus on tropical Benin contributes to taxonomic clarity of an important wood-decay fungal genus, which is the basis for biodiversity assessments of Trametes in the tropics.

Volatile organic compounds influence the interaction of the Eurasian spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) with its fungal symbionts

Insects have mutualistic symbioses with a variety of microorganisms. However, the chemical signals that maintain these insect-microbe relationships are poorly known compared to those from insect-plant symbioses. The spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, the most destructive forest pest in Europe, has a symbiotic relationship with several fungi that are believed to contribute to its successful invasion of Norway spruce. Here we tested the hypothesis that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from fungal symbionts could be cues for bark beetles to recognize and distinguish among members of its microbial community. Behavioral experiments with fungi showed that immature adults of I. typographus are attracted to food sources colonized by their fungal symbionts but not to saprophytic fungi and that this attraction is mediated by volatile cues. GC-MS measurements revealed that the symbionts emitted VOCs. Testing the activity of these compounds on beetle antennae using single sensillum recordings showed that beetles detect many fungal volatiles and possess olfactory sensory neurons specialized for these compounds. Finally, synthetic blends of fungal volatiles attracted beetles in olfactometer experiments. These findings indicate that volatile compounds produced by fungi may act as recognition signals for bark beetles to maintain specific microbial communities that might have impact on their fitness.

Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus, including 11 new species from China

Ips typographus (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) is a spruce-infesting bark beetle that occurs throughout Europe and Asia. The beetle can cause considerable damage, especially when colonized trees are stressed and beetle populations increase. Although some studies have shown that populations of I. typographus in Europe, China and Japan are genetically distinct, these populations are biologically similar, including a strong association with ophiostomatoid fungi. To date, only two Leptographium spp. have been reported from the beetle in China, while 40 species have been reported from Europe and 13 from Japan. The aims of this study were to identify the ophiostomatoid fungal associates of I. typographus in north-eastern China, and to determine whether the fungal assemblages reflect the different geographical populations of the beetle. Field surveys in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces yielded a total of 1 046 fungal isolates from 145 beetles and 178 galleries. Isolates were grouped based on morphology and representatives of each group were identified using DNA sequences of the ribosomal LSU, ITS, β-tubulin, calmodulin and elongation factor 1-α gene regions. A total of 23 species of ophiostomatoid fungi were identified, including 12 previously described species and 11 novel species, all of which are described here. The dominant species were Ophiostoma bicolor, Leptographium taigense and Grosmannia piceiperda D, representing 40.5 %, 27.8 % and 17.8 % of the isolates, respectively. Comparisons of species from China, Europe and Japan are complicated by the fact that some of the European and all the Japanese species were identified based only on morphology. However, assuming that those identifications are correct, five species were shared between Europe, Japan and China, two species were shared between China and Japan, five between Europe and China, and two between Europe and Japan. Consequently, Ips typographus populations in these different geographic areas have different fungal assemblages, suggesting that the majority of these beetle-associations are promiscuous. The results also suggested that the symbionts of the bark beetle do not reflect the population structures of the beetle. The use of fungal symbiont assemblages to infer population structures and invasion history of its vectors should thus be interpreted with circumspection.

Effects of water availability on a forestry pathosystem: fungal strain-specific variation in disease severity

Norway spruce is one of the most important commercial forestry species in Europe, and is commonly infected by the bark beetle-vectored necrotrophic fungus, Endoconidiophora polonica. Spruce trees display a restricted capacity to respond to environmental perturbations, and we hypothesized that water limitation will increase disease severity in this pathosystem. To test this prediction, 737 seedlings were randomized to high (W+) or low (W−) water availability treatment groups, and experimentally inoculated with one of three E. polonica strains or mock-inoculated. Seedling mortality was monitored throughout an annual growing season, and total seedling growth and lesion length indices were measured at the experiment conclusion. Seedling growth was greater in the W+ than W− treatment group, demonstrating limitation due to water availability. For seedlings infected with two of the fungal strains, no differences in disease severity occurred in response to water availability. For the third fungal strain, however, greater disease severity (mortality and lesion lengths) occurred in W− than W+ seedlings. While the co-circulation in nature of multiple E. polonica strains of varying virulence is known, this is the first experimental evidence that water availability can alter strain-specific disease severity.

Pest categorisation of Ips typographus

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the eight‐toothed spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), for the EU. I. typographus is a well‐defined and distinguishable species, recognised mainly as a pest of spruce (Picea spp.) in Eurasia. It also attacks other conifers such as Abies spp., Larix spp., Pinus spp. and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Native to Eurasia, I. typographus has spread from the native range of spruce to new areas in Eurasia where spruce has been planted, and is now widely distributed throughout the EU (22 Member states). It is a quarantine pest listed in Annex IIB of Council Directive 2000/29/EC for Ireland and United Kingdom as protected zones. Coniferous wood, bark and wood packaging material are considered as pathways for the pest, which is also able to disperse by flight over tens of kilometres. The insects normally establish on fallen trees but can also mass‐attack healthy trees, killing millions of spruces. The males produce pheromones that attract conspecifics of both sexes. Each male attracts one to four females; each female produces 2–80 offspring. The insects also inoculate pathogenic fungi to their hosts. There are one to three generations per year. The wide current geographic range of I. typographus suggests that it is able to establish anywhere in the EU where its hosts are present. Sanitary thinning or clear‐felling are the major control methods. Pheromone mass trapping is presently judged unreliable because of the large dispersal capacity of the pest. Quarantine measures are implemented to prevent entry in yet uncolonised areas. All criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as potential protected zone quarantine pest are met. The criteria for considering I. typographus as a potential regulated non‐quarantine pest are not met since plants for planting are not a pathway.

Testing Projected Climate Change Conditions on the Endoconidiophora polonica / Norway spruce Pathosystem Shows Fungal Strain Specific Effects

Climate changes, exemplified by increased temperatures and CO2 concentration, pose a global threat to forest health. Of particular concern are pests and pathogens, with a warming climate altering their distributions and evolutionary capacity, while impairing the ability of some plants to respond to infections. Progress in understanding and mitigating such effects is currently hindered by a lack of empirical research. Norway spruce (Picea abies) is one of the most economically important tree species in northern Europe, and is considered highly vulnerable to changes in climate. It is commonly infected by the fungus Endoconidiophora polonica, and we hypothesized that damage caused to trees will increase under future climate change predictions. To test this hypothesis an in vivo greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of a changed growing environment on E. polonica infected Norway spruce seedlings, comparing ambient conditions to predicted temperatures and CO2 levels in Finland for the years 2030 and 2100. In total, 450 seedlings were randomized amongst the three treatments, with 25 seedlings from each allocated to inoculation with one of five different fungal strains or mock-inoculation. Seedlings were monitored throughout the thermal growing season for mortality, and lesion length and depth indices were measured at the experiment conclusion. Disease severity (mortality and lesions) was consistently greater in fungal-inoculated than mock-inoculated seedlings. However, substantial differences were observed among fungal strains in response to climate scenarios. For example, although overall seedling mortality was highest under the most distant (and severe) climate change expectations, of the two fungal strains with the highest mortality counts (referred to as F4 and F5), one produced greater mortality under the 2030 and 2100 scenarios than ambient conditions, whereas climate scenario had no effect on the other. This study contributes to a limited body of empirical research on the effects of projected climate changes on forestry pathosystems, and is the first to investigate interactions between Norway spruce and E. polonica. The results indicate the potential for future climate changes to alter the impact of forest pathogens with implications for productivity, while highlighting the need for a strain-specific level of understanding of the disease agents.

A genomic comparison of putative pathogenicity-related gene families in five members of the Ophiostomatales with different lifestyles

Ophiostomatoid fungi are vectored by their bark-beetle associates and colonize different host tree species. To survive and proliferate in the host, they have evolved mechanisms for detoxification and elimination of host defence compounds, efficient nutrient sequestration, and, in pathogenic species, virulence towards plants. Here, we assembled a draft genome of the spruce pathogen Ophiostoma bicolor. For our comparative and phylogenetic analyses, we mined the genomes of closely related species (Ophiostoma piceae, Ophiostoma ulmi, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, and Grosmannia clavigera). Our aim was to acquire a genomic and evolutionary perspective of gene families important in host colonization. Genome comparisons showed that both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in our assembly were largely complete. Our O. bicolor 25.3 Mbp draft genome had 10 018 predicted genes, 6041 proteins with gene ontology (GO) annotation, 269 carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), 559 peptidases and inhibitors, and 1373 genes likely involved in pathogen-host interactions. Phylogenetic analyses of selected protein families revealed core sets of cytochrome P450 genes, ABC transporters and backbone genes involved in secondary metabolite (SM) biosynthesis (polyketide synthases (PKS) and non-ribosomal synthases), and species-specific gene losses and duplications. Phylogenetic analyses of protein families of interest provided insight into evolutionary adaptations to host biochemistry in ophiostomatoid fungi.

Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted by Fungal Associates of Conifer Bark Beetles and their Potential in Bark Beetle Control

Conifer bark beetles attack and kill mature spruce and pine trees, especially during hot and dry conditions. These beetles are closely associated with ophiostomatoid fungi of the Ascomycetes, including the genera Ophiostoma, Grosmannia, and Endoconidiophora, which enhance beetle success by improving nutrition and modifying their substrate, but also have negative impacts on beetles by attracting predators and parasites. A survey of the literature and our own data revealed that ophiostomatoid fungi emit a variety of volatile organic compounds under laboratory conditions including fusel alcohols, terpenoids, aromatic compounds, and aliphatic alcohols. Many of these compounds already have been shown to elicit behavioral responses from bark beetles, functioning as attractants or repellents, often as synergists to compounds currently used in bark beetle control. Thus, these compounds could serve as valuable new agents for bark beetle management. However, bark beetle associations with fungi are very complex. Beetle behavior varies with the species of fungus, the stage of the beetle life cycle, the host tree quality, and probably with changes in the emission rate of fungal volatiles. Additional research on bark beetles and their symbiotic associates is necessary before the basic significance of ophiostomatoid fungal volatiles can be understood and their applied potential realized.