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Sciandra C, Amoriello S, Degli EI, Nicotera V, Barbieri F, Mazza G, Torrini G, Roversi PF, Strangi A. First report of Rhabditis ( Rhabditella) axei with the invasive palm borer Paysandisia archon. J Nematol 2024; 56:20240005. [PMID: 38495930 PMCID: PMC10940275 DOI: 10.2478/jofnem-2024-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Rhabditis (Rhabditella) axei is a free-living, pseudoparasitic, necromenic, and parasitic nematode, depending on the host. This species feeds mainly on bacteria present in decaying organic matter, soil, and other substrates; however, in its parasitic form, it can colonize some species of snails. Moreover, the presence of R. axei has also been detected in birds and mammals, including humans. In 2021-2023, during monitoring of the palm borer Paysandisia archon in Central Italy, R. axei emerged from dead larvae of this alien invasive moth and was extracted from palm fibres of Trachycarpus fortunei in three independent sites. The nematode was identified by morphological and morphometric analyses. Molecular analyses using SSU and LSU gene fragments were used to confirm the identification and to perform Bayesian reconstruction of the phylogeny. Each sampling site showed a unique haplotype. Concerning the pathogenicity of this nematode against insects, the test performed on Galleria mellonella larvae did not show any entomopathogenic effect. This is the first time that R. axei was found associated with P. archon, and this recurrent association was discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Sciandra
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria – Centro di Ricerca Difesa e Certificazione, Firenze, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Siena, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Siena, Italy
| | - Sara Amoriello
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria – Centro di Ricerca Difesa e Certificazione, Firenze, Italy
| | - Emilia Innocenti Degli
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria – Centro di Ricerca Difesa e Certificazione, Firenze, Italy
| | - Valentina Nicotera
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria – Centro di Ricerca Difesa e Certificazione, Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesco Barbieri
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria – Centro di Ricerca Difesa e Certificazione, Firenze, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria – Centro di Ricerca Difesa e Certificazione, Firenze, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo90133, Italy
| | - Giulia Torrini
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria – Centro di Ricerca Difesa e Certificazione, Firenze, Italy
| | - Pio Federico Roversi
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria – Centro di Ricerca Difesa e Certificazione, Firenze, Italy
| | - Agostino Strangi
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria – Centro di Ricerca Difesa e Certificazione, Firenze, Italy
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Paoli F, Iovinella I, Barbieri F, Sciandra C, Sabbatini Peverieri G, Mazza G, Torrini G, Barzanti GP, Benvenuti C, Strangi A, Bosio G, Mori E, Roversi PF, Marianelli L. Effectiveness of field-exposed attract-and-kill devices against the adults of Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): a study on duration, form and storage. Pest Manag Sci 2023; 79:3262-3270. [PMID: 37073818 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Japanese beetle Popillia japonica Newman is an insect pest native to Japan that has spread into North America, the Azores and, recently, into continental Europe. Here, we present a study assessing the effectiveness of a long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN), assembled in semiochemical-baited attract-and-kill devices (A&Ks) as a low environmental impact means to control P. japonica in the field. We compared the attractiveness of three different forms of A&Ks that were left outdoors throughout the summer, and the residence time of P. japonica landing on them. Moreover, we performed a preliminary study testing the effectiveness of new LLINs after storage. Collected data also allowed us to investigate the beetles' diel flight patterns in relation to meteorological conditions. RESULTS Killing effectiveness of the field-exposed A&Ks declined steadily over the flight season (from 100% to 37.5%) associated with a decrease in residues of α-cypermethrin, the active ingredient in the LLINs. The different A&K forms (pyramidal, octahedral and ellipsoidal) attracted similar numbers of beetles. Individual beetles' residence time ranged from 75 to 95 s and differed slightly between A&K forms. Effectiveness of LLINs decreased by ≈30% after 1 year storage. Based on numbers landing on A&Ks, the beetles' flight activity peaked about 14:30 h and was inversely correlated with relative humidity. CONCLUSION This study indicates that semiochemical-baited A&Ks are effective for controlling P. japonica in the field. Because of active ingredient decay, the LLINs should be replaced after 30-40 days of field exposure to ensure that the A&Ks remain fully functional. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Paoli
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Barbieri
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Sciandra
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Mazza
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Torrini
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Gian Paolo Barzanti
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Benvenuti
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Agostino Strangi
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bosio
- Settore Fitosanitario e Servizi Tecnico-scientifici, Torino, Italy
| | - Emiliano Mori
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, 90133, Italy
| | | | - Leonardo Marianelli
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
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Gotta P, Ciampitti M, Cavagna B, Bosio G, Gilioli G, Alma A, Battisti A, Mori N, Mazza G, Torrini G, Paoli F, Santoiemma G, Simonetto A, Lessio F, Sperandio G, Giacometto E, Bianchi A, Roversi PF, Marianelli L. Popillia japonica - Italian outbreak management. Front Insect Sci 2023; 3:1175138. [PMID: 38469512 PMCID: PMC10926379 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1175138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Popillia japonica, a priority pest for the EU, was first detected in Northern Italy in 2014. Since its discovery, the outbreak extended over an area of more than 16,000 square kilometers in Northern Italy and Southern Switzerland. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art of research conducted in Italy on both the spreading capacity and control measures of P. japonica. Chemical, physical, and biological control measures deployed since its detection are presented, by highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. An in-depth study of the ecosystems invaded by P. japonica disclosed the presence and pathogenicity of natural strains of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes, some of which have shown to be particularly aggressive towards the larvae of this pest under laboratory conditions. The Plant Health authorities of the Lombardy and Piedmont regions, with the support of several research institutions, played a crucial role in the initial eradication attempt and subsequently in containing the spread of P. japonica. Control measures were performed in the infested area to suppress adult populations of P. japonica by installing several traps (e.g., for mass trapping, for auto-dissemination of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, and "attract & kill"). For larval control, the infested fields were treated with commercial strains of the entomopathogenic fungus M. anisopliae and nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Future studies will aim at integrating phenological and spread models developed with the most effective control measures, within an ecologically sustainable approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Gotta
- Settore Fitosanitario e servizi tecnico-scientifici – Piedmont Region, Turin, Italy
| | - Mariangela Ciampitti
- Directorate General (DG) Agricoltura Servizio Fitosanitario Regionale, Lombardy Region, Milan, Italy
| | - Beniamino Cavagna
- Directorate General (DG) Agricoltura Servizio Fitosanitario Regionale, Lombardy Region, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bosio
- Settore Fitosanitario e servizi tecnico-scientifici – Piedmont Region, Turin, Italy
| | - Gianni Gilioli
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile Ambiente Territorio Architettura e Matematica (DICATAM), University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alberto Alma
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari (DISAFA), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Battisti
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and the Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Nicola Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA) - Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Torrini
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA) - Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Paoli
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA) - Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Giacomo Santoiemma
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and the Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Simonetto
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile Ambiente Territorio Architettura e Matematica (DICATAM), University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Federico Lessio
- Settore Fitosanitario e servizi tecnico-scientifici – Piedmont Region, Turin, Italy
| | - Giorgio Sperandio
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile Ambiente Territorio Architettura e Matematica (DICATAM), University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Emanuela Giacometto
- Settore Fitosanitario e servizi tecnico-scientifici – Piedmont Region, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bianchi
- Directorate General (DG) Agricoltura Servizio Fitosanitario Regionale, Lombardy Region, Milan, Italy
| | - Pio Federico Roversi
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA) - Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Leonardo Marianelli
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA) - Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
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Barzanti GP, Enkerli J, Benvenuti C, Strangi A, Mazza G, Torrini G, Simoncini S, Paoli F, Marianelli L. Genetic variability of Metarhizium isolates from the Ticino Valley Natural Park (Northern Italy) as a possible microbiological resource for the management of Popillia japonica. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 197:107891. [PMID: 36716929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The natural occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) was investigated along the Ticino River (Ticino River Natural Park, Novara Province, Piedmont, Italy), at the center of the area of the first settlement of the invasive alien pest Popillia japonica. Using Zimmermann's "Galleria bait method", EPF were successfully isolated from 83 out of 155 soil samples from different habitats (perennial, cultivated, or uncultivated meadows, woodlands, and riverbanks). Sequencing of the 5' end of the Translation Elongation Factor 1 alfa (5'-TEF) region allowed the assignment of 94% of the isolates to Metarhizium spp., while 8% and 7% were assigned to Beauveria spp. and Paecilomyces spp., respectively. Four Metarhizium species were identified: Metarhizium robertsii was the most common one (61.5% of the isolates), followed by M. brunneum (24.4%), M. lepidiotae (9%), and M. guizhouense (5.1%). Microsatellite marker analysis of the Metarhizium isolates revealed the presence of 27 different genotypes, i.e., 10 genotypes among M. robertsii, 8 among M. brunneum, 5 among M. lepidiotae, and 4 among M. guizhouense. Metarhizium brunneum appeared to be associated with woodlands and more acid soils, while the other species showed no clear association with a particular habitat. Laboratory virulence tests against P. japonica 3rd instar larvae allowed the identification of one M. robertsii isolate that showed efficacy as high as 80.3%. The importance of this kind of study in the frame of eco-friendly microbiological control is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Paolo Barzanti
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 50125 Florence, Italy.
| | - Jürg Enkerli
- AGROSCOPE Institute for Sustainability Sciences ISS, Molecular Ecology, 8046 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Benvenuti
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Agostino Strangi
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Torrini
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Stefania Simoncini
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Paoli
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Leonardo Marianelli
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 50125 Florence, Italy
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Cappa F, Torrini G, Mazza G, Inghilesi AF, Benvenuti C, Viliani L, Roversi PF, Cervo R. Assessing immunocompetence in red palm weevil adult and immature stages in response to bacterial challenge and entomopathogenic nematode infection. Insect Sci 2020; 27:1031-1042. [PMID: 31633276 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Parasites and pathogens can follow different patterns of infection depending on the host developmental stage or sex. In fact, immune function is energetically costly for hosts and trade-offs exist between immune defenses and life history traits as growth, development and reproduction and organisms should thus optimize immune defense through their life cycle according to their developmental stage. Identifying the most susceptible target and the most virulent pathogen is particularly important in the case of insect pests, in order to develop effective control strategies targeting the most vulnerable individuals with the most effective control agent. Here, we carried out laboratory tests to identify the most susceptible target of infection by infecting different stages of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (larvae, pupae, male, and female adults) with both a generic pathogen, antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli XL1-Blue, and two specific strains of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Steinernema carpocapsae ItS-CAO1 and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora ItH-LU1. By evaluating bacterial clearance, host mortality and parasite progeny release, we demonstrate that larvae are more resistant than adults to bacterial challenge and they release less EPNs progeny after infection despite a higher mortality compared to adults. Considering the two EPN strains, S. carpocapsae was more virulent than H. bacteriophora both in terms of host mortality and more abundant progeny released by hosts after death. The outcomes attained with unspecific and specific pathogens provide useful information for a more efficient and sustainable management of this invasive pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Cappa
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Torrini
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Benvenuti
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | | | | | - Rita Cervo
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Torrini G, Strangi A, Simoncini S, Luppino M, Roversi PF, Marianelli L. First report of Bursaphelenchus fungivorus (Nematoda: Aphelenchida) in Italy and an overview of nematodes associated with Crocus sativus L. J Nematol 2020; 52:1-11. [PMID: 32227750 PMCID: PMC7266043 DOI: 10.21307/jofnem-2020-023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Saffron is one of the most precious spices in the world. It is derived from the dried stigmas of the Crocus sativus L. flowers. This plant is triploid sterile and propagated by corms. As a subterranean organ, the corm can come into contact with different nematodes. In this contribution Bursaphelenchus fungivorus was reported for the first time in Italy. It was found associated with C. sativus corms and characterized based on morphological and morphometrical characteristics for this species. The identification was confirmed using molecular analyses. Moreover, a review of nematodes associated with C. sativus worldwide is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Torrini
- CREA Research Center for Plant Protection and Certification, Via di Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy
| | - Agostino Strangi
- CREA Research Center for Plant Protection and Certification, Via di Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy
| | - Stefania Simoncini
- CREA Research Center for Plant Protection and Certification, Via di Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy
| | - Maria Luppino
- Regione Lazio - Direzione Regionale Agricoltura, Promozione della Filiera e della Cultura del Cibo, Caccia e Pesca - Area Servizio Fitosanitario Regionale Innovazione in Agricoltura - Via del Serafico, 107, 00142 Roma, Italy
| | - Pio Federico Roversi
- CREA Research Center for Plant Protection and Certification, Via di Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy
| | - Leonardo Marianelli
- CREA Research Center for Plant Protection and Certification, Via di Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy
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Torrini G, Strangi A, Mazza G, Marianelli L, Roversi PF, Kanzaki N. Description of Bursaphelenchus irokophilus n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C.C. Berg wood imported into Italy from Cameroon. NEMATOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1163/15685411-00003268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Summary
A new species of Bursaphelenchus, extracted from unprocessed logs of Milicia excelsa from Cameroon and arriving in the port of Leghorn, Tuscany, Central Italy, is described. Bursaphelenchus irokophilus n. sp. is based upon morphological and molecular characters and is characterised by the two-lined lateral field, mitten-shaped spicule possessing cucullus and well-developed and slightly dorsally curved condylus with narrowly rounded tip, female vulva with side flap, and long, smoothly tapering and strongly ventrally recurved female tail. The new species belongs to the abietinus-group and is similar to, but distinguished from, B. abietinus and B. rainulfi by the position of secretory-excretory pore, longer and slender female tail and some morphometric values. In addition, the phylogeny based on SSU and D2-D3 LSU regions shows that this species belongs to the abietinus-group, the relationship among the species of this group being discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Torrini
- 1CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Via di Lanciola 12/A, Firenze 50124, Italy
| | - Agostino Strangi
- 1CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Via di Lanciola 12/A, Firenze 50124, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- 1CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Via di Lanciola 12/A, Firenze 50124, Italy
| | - Leonardo Marianelli
- 1CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Via di Lanciola 12/A, Firenze 50124, Italy
| | - Pio Federico Roversi
- 1CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Via di Lanciola 12/A, Firenze 50124, Italy
| | - Natsumi Kanzaki
- 2Kansai Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI), 68 Nagaikyutaroh, Fushimi, Kyoto 612-0855, Japan
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Lazzaro L, Mazza G, d'Errico G, Fabiani A, Giuliani C, Inghilesi AF, Lagomarsino A, Landi S, Lastrucci L, Pastorelli R, Roversi PF, Torrini G, Tricarico E, Foggi B. How ecosystems change following invasion by Robinia pseudoacacia: Insights from soil chemical properties and soil microbial, nematode, microarthropod and plant communities. Sci Total Environ 2018; 622-623:1509-1518. [PMID: 29054645 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Biological invasions are a global threat to biodiversity. Since the spread of invasive alien plants may have many impacts, an integrated approach, assessing effects across various ecosystem components, is needed for a correct understanding of the invasion process and its consequences. The nitrogen-fixing tree Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust) is a major invasive species worldwide and is used in forestry production. While its effects on plant communities and soils are well known, there have been few studies on soil fauna and microbes. We investigated the impacts of the tree on several ecosystem components, using a multi-trophic approach to combine evidence of soil chemical properties and soil microbial, nematode, microarthropod and plant communities. We sampled soil and vegetation in managed forests, comparing those dominated by black locust with native deciduous oak stands. We found qualitative and quantitative changes in all components analysed, such as the well-known soil nitrification and acidification in stands invaded by black locust. Bacterial richness was the only component favoured by the invasion. On the contrary, abundance and richness of microarthropods, richness of nematodes, and richness and diversity of plant communities decreased significantly in invaded stands. The invasion process caused a compositional shift in all studied biotic communities and in relationships between the different ecosystem components. We obtained clear insights into the effects of invasion of managed native forests by black locust. Our data confirms that the alien species transforms several ecosystem components, modifying the plant-soil community and affecting biodiversity at different levels. Correct management of this aggressive invader in temperate forests is urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Lazzaro
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, via G. La Pira 4, I-50121 Florence, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- CREA-DC, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, via di Lanciola 12/A, I-50125, Cascine del Riccio, Florence, Italy
| | - Giada d'Errico
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy; CNR - Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante (IPSP), via Università 133, 80055 Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Arturo Fabiani
- CREA-AA, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, via di Lanciola 12/A, I-50125, Cascine del Riccio, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Giuliani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto F Inghilesi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, via Romana 17, I-50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Lagomarsino
- CREA-AA, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, via di Lanciola 12/A, I-50125, Cascine del Riccio, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Landi
- CREA-DC, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, via di Lanciola 12/A, I-50125, Cascine del Riccio, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Lastrucci
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, via G. La Pira 4, I-50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Roberta Pastorelli
- CREA-AA, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, via di Lanciola 12/A, I-50125, Cascine del Riccio, Florence, Italy
| | - Pio Federico Roversi
- CREA-DC, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, via di Lanciola 12/A, I-50125, Cascine del Riccio, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Torrini
- CREA-DC, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, via di Lanciola 12/A, I-50125, Cascine del Riccio, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Tricarico
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, via Romana 17, I-50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Bruno Foggi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, via G. La Pira 4, I-50121 Florence, Italy
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Camerota M, Mazza G, Carta LK, Paoli F, Torrini G, Benvenuti C, Carletti B, Francardi V, Roversi PF. Occurrence of Panagrellus (Rhabditida: Panagrolaimidae) Nematodes in a Morphologically Aberrant Adult Specimen of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae). J Nematol 2016; 48:1-6. [PMID: 27168645 PMCID: PMC4859612 DOI: 10.21307/jofnem-2017-001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
An aberrant specimen of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) also known as red palm weevil (RPW), the most economically important insect pest of palms in the world, was found among a batch of conspecifics reared for research purposes. A morphological analysis of this weevil revealed the presence of nematodes associated with a structured cuticle defect of the thorax. These nematodes were not able to be cultured, but were characterized by molecular analysis using 28S and 18S ribosomal DNA and shown to belong to the family Panagrolaimidae (Rhabditida), within a clade of Panagrellus. While most nematodes in the insect were juveniles, a single male adult was partially characterized by light microscopy. Morphometrics showed similarities to a species described from Germany. Excluding the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), only five other genera of entomophilic or saprophytic rhabditid nematodes are associated with this weevil. This is the first report of panagrolaimid nematodes associated with this invasive pest. Possible mechanisms of nematode-insect association are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Camerota
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre (CRA-ABP), Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre (CRA-ABP), Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Lynn K Carta
- Nematology Laboratory, USDA, ARS, Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Bldg. 010A, Room 110, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350
| | - Francesco Paoli
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre (CRA-ABP), Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Torrini
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre (CRA-ABP), Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Benvenuti
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre (CRA-ABP), Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Beatrice Carletti
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre (CRA-ABP), Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Valeria Francardi
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre (CRA-ABP), Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Pio Federico Roversi
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre (CRA-ABP), Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Florence, Italy
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Torrini G, Mazza G, Strangi A, Barabaschi D, Landi S, Mori E, Menchetti M, Sposimo P, Giuliani C, Zoccola A, Lazzaro L, Ferretti G, Foggi B, Roversi PF. Oscheius tipulae in Italy: Evidence of an Alien Isolate in the Integral Natural Reserve of Montecristo Island (Tuscany). J Nematol 2016; 48:8-13. [PMID: 27168647 PMCID: PMC4859620 DOI: 10.21307/jofnem-2017-003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Montecristo Island is an integral natural reserve of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park (Central Italy), characterized by a peculiar assemblage of flora and fauna, with several endemic taxa, and also with a high number of alien species. During a soil survey, we found an alien Oscheius tipulae Lam & Webster, 1971 isolate, phylogenetically close to others from South America. In this article, we examined the possible pathways of introduction of this nematode. Because of the high number of alien plants in this protected area and the low desiccation survival ability of O. tipulae, we hypothesized that the presence of this alien nematode isolate may be related to the soil of introduced plants, although historical association with plant-associated invertebrates is also possible. Further studies with more populations and marker molecules are necessary to investigate the distribution of O. tipulae and the possible impact on this natural reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Torrini
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre, Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre, Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy
| | - Agostino Strangi
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre, Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy
| | - Delfina Barabaschi
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Genomics Research Centre, Via S. Protaso, 302, 29017 Fiorenzuola d'Arda, Italy
| | - Silvia Landi
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre, Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy
| | - Emiliano Mori
- Department of Agriculture, Forest and Food Sciences, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Mattia Menchetti
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Paolo Sposimo
- Nature and Environment Management Operators s.r.l., Piazza M. D'Azeglio 11, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Claudia Giuliani
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Antonio Zoccola
- Corpo Forestale dello Stato, Ufficio Territoriale per la Biodiversità di Pratovecchio, via D. Alighieri 41, 52015 Pratovecchio, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Lazzaro
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Giulio Ferretti
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Bruno Foggi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Pio Federico Roversi
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre, Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy
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11
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Torrini G, Mazza G, Carletti B, Benvenuti C, Roversi PF, Fanelli E, De Luca F, Troccoli A, Tarasco E. Oscheius onirici sp. n. (Nematoda: Rhabditidae): a new entomopathogenic nematode from an Italian cave. Zootaxa 2015; 3937:533-48. [PMID: 25947484 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3937.3.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Oscheius onirici sp. n. (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) was isolated from a karst cave soil of Central Italy. Molecular and morphological analyses were performed. Total DNA was extracted from individual nematodes and the mitochondrial COI, the ITS containing region, the D2-D3 expansion domains of the 28S rRNA gene and the 18S rRNA gene were amplified and sequenced. BLAST search at NCBI by using all molecular markers revealed that this taxon is similar to Oscheius species. Phylogenetic trees of ITS, 28S and 18S rDNA revealed that O. onirici sp. n. belongs to Dolichura-group. Oscheius onirici sp. n. is characterized by small body size and stoma rhabditoid type. Female reproductive system is amphidelphic. Males are rare with peloderan bursa, spicules slender and small, nine pairs of papillae of different lengths, arranged in a 1+1+1/3+3 pattern. Entomopathogenicity bioassay revealed that this nematode is capable of infecting larvae of Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Torrini
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre (CRA-ABP), Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze (Italy).;
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre (CRA-ABP), Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze (Italy).; unknown
| | - Beatrice Carletti
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre (CRA-ABP), Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze (Italy).; unknown
| | - Claudia Benvenuti
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre (CRA-ABP), Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze (Italy).; unknown
| | - Pio Federico Roversi
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre (CRA-ABP), Via Lanciola 12/A, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze (Italy).; unknown
| | - Elena Fanelli
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP)-CNR, via G. Amendola 122/D, 70126 Bari (Italy).;
| | - Francesca De Luca
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP)-CNR, via G. Amendola 122/D, 70126 Bari (Italy).;
| | - Alberto Troccoli
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP)-CNR, via G. Amendola 122/D, 70126 Bari (Italy).; unknown
| | - Eustachio Tarasco
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP)-CNR, via G. Amendola 122/D, 70126 Bari (Italy). Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, Section of Entomology and Zoology, University of Bari "A. Moro", via G. Amendola, 165/A, 70126 Bari (Italy); unknown
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Sagliaschi G, Moro U, Punzo G, Gatto A, Torrini G. [Controlled clinical study on the use of imidazole-2-hydroxybenzoate in prostatitis]. Recenti Prog Med 1987; 78:264-5. [PMID: 3498978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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