Molecular analysis of a fungal disease in the habitat-forming brown macroalga Phyllospora comosa (Fucales) along a latitudinal gradient

Juliana Ferrari; Priscila Goncalves; Alexandra Helene Campbell; Daniela Bueno Sudatti; Georgina Valentine Wood; Torsten Thomas; Renato Crespo Pereira; Peter David Steinberg; Ezequiel Miguel Marzinelli

doi:10.1111/jpy.13180

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Molecular analysis of a fungal disease in the habitat-forming brown macroalga Phyllospora comosa (Fucales) along a latitudinal gradient

Journal article

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Molecular analysis of a fungal disease in the habitat-forming brown macroalga Phyllospora comosa (Fucales) along a latitudinal gradient

Juliana Ferrari, Priscila Goncalves, Alexandra Helene Campbell, Daniela Bueno Sudatti, Georgina Valentine Wood, Torsten Thomas, Renato Crespo Pereira, Peter David Steinberg and Ezequiel Miguel Marzinelli

Journal of Phycology, Vol.57(5), pp.1504-1516

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13180

PMID: 33942303

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Abstract

seaweed

chemical defences

ITS

molecular detection

Disease

marine fungus

Infectious diseases affecting habitat-forming species can have significant impacts on population dynamics and alter the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. Recently, a fungal infection was described as the causative agent of necrotic lesions on the stipe of the forest-forming macroalga Phyllospora comosa, a disease named "stipe rot" (SR). Here, we developed a quantitative PCR (qPCR) method for rapid detection and quantification of this pathogen which was applied to evaluate the level of SR infection in eight P. comosa populations spanning the entire latitudinal distribution of this species along southeastern Australia. We also investigated the relationship between the abundance and prevalence of SRF and potential host chemical defences as well as its relationship to morphological and ecophysiological traits of P. comosa. qPCR estimates of SRF abundance reflected the levels of infection estimated by visual assessment, with higher numbers of SRF copies being observed in individuals showing high or intermediate levels of visual symptoms of SR. Concordance of conventional PCR and visual assessments was 92 and 94%, respectively, compared to qPCR detection. SRF prevalence was positively related to fucoxanthin content and herbivory, but not significant related with other traits measured (phlorotannin content, total length, thallus diameter, stipe width, number of branches, frond width, herbivory, fouling, bleaching, gender and photosynthetic efficiency). These results provide confidence for previous reports of this disease based upon visual assessments only, contribute to the development of monitoring and conservation strategies for safeguarding P. comosa forests and generate insights into potential factors influencing host-pathogen interactions in this system.

Details

Title: Molecular analysis of a fungal disease in the habitat-forming brown macroalga Phyllospora comosa (Fucales) along a latitudinal gradient
Authors: Juliana Ferrari (Corresponding Author) - UNSW Australia
Priscila Goncalves (Author) - UNSW Australia
Alexandra Helene Campbell (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Daniela Bueno Sudatti (Author) - Universidade Federal Fluminense
Georgina Valentine Wood (Author) - UNSW Australia
Torsten Thomas (Author) - UNSW Australia
Renato Crespo Pereira (Author) - Universidade Federal Fluminense
Peter David Steinberg (Author) - UNSW Australia
Ezequiel Miguel Marzinelli (Author) - The University of Sydney
Publication details: Journal of Phycology, Vol.57(5), pp.1504-1516
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13180
ISSN: 1529-8817
PMID: 33942303
Grants: The effect of microbial diversity vs function on marine holobionts, DP180104041, Australian Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - ARC
Restoration of Sydney's key habitat forming seaweed forests, LP160100836, Australian Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - ARC
Grant note: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico. Grant Numbers: 148813/2016-0, 408712/2013-9
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Biomedicine; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99533508402621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Marine & Freshwater Biology; Plant Sciences

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