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Charles R. Vossbrinck - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A formal redefinition of the genera Nosema and Vairimorpha (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) and reassignment of species based on molecular phylogenetics
    Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2020
    Co-Authors: Yuri S. Tokarev, Wei-fone Huang, Leellen F. Solter, Julia M. Malysh, James J. Becnel, Charles R. Vossbrinck
    Abstract:

    The microsporidian genera Nosema and Vairimorpha comprise a clade described from insects. Currently the genus Nosema is defined as having a dimorphic life cycle characterized by diplokaryotic stages and diplosporoblastic sporogony with two functionally and morphologically distinct spore types ("early" or "primary" and "environmental"). The Vairimorpha life cycle, in addition to a Nosema-type diplokaryotic sporogony, includes an octosporoblastic sporogony producing eight uninucleate spores (octospores) within a sporophorous vesicle. Molecular phylogeny, however, has clearly demonstrated that the genera Nosema and Vairimorpha, characterized by the absence or presence of uninucleate octospores, respectively, represent two polyphyletic taxa, and that octosporogony is turned on and off frequently within taxa, depending on environmental factors such as host species and rearing temperature. In addition, recent studies have shown that both branches of the Vairimorpha-Nosema clade contain species that are uninucleate throughout their life cycle. The SSU rRNA gene sequence data reveal two distinct clades, those closely related to Vairimorpha necatrix, the type species for the genus Vairimorpha, and those closely related to Nosema bombycis, the type species for the genus Nosema. Here, we redefine the two genera, giving priority to molecular character states over those observed at the developmental, structural or ultrastructural levels and present a list of revised species designations. Using this approach, a series of species are renamed (combination novum) and members of two genera, Rugispora and Oligosporidium, are reassigned to Vairimorpha because of their phylogenetic position. Moreover, the family Nosematidae is redefined and includes the genera Nosema and Vairimorpha comprising a monophyletic lineage of Microsporidia.

  • the genome of nosema sp isolate ynpr a comparative analysis of genome evolution within the nosema Vairimorpha clade
    PLOS ONE, 2016
    Co-Authors: Xiaoyan Zhang, Zeyang Zhou, Bettina A Debrunnervossbrinck, Charles R. Vossbrinck
    Abstract:

    The microsporidian parasite designated here as Nosema sp. Isolate YNPr was isolated from the cabbage butterfly Pieris rapae collected in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The genome was sequenced by Illumina sequencing and compared to those of two related members of the Nosema/Vairimorpha clade, Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis. Based upon assembly statistics, the Nosema sp. YNPr genome is 3.36 x 106bp with a G+C content of 23.18% and 2,075 protein coding sequences. An "ACCCTT" motif is present approximately 50-bp upstream of the start codon, as reported from other members of the clade and from Encephalitozoon cuniculi, a sister taxon. Comparative small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) analysis as well as genome-wide phylogenetic analysis confirms a closer relationship between N. ceranae and Nosema sp. YNPr than between the two honeybee parasites N. ceranae and N. apis. The more closely related N. ceranae and Nosema sp. YNPr show similarities in a number of structural characteristics such as gene synteny, gene length, gene number, transposon composition and gene reduction. Based on transposable element content of the assemblies, the transposon content of Nosema sp. YNPr is 4.8%, that of N. ceranae is 3.7%, and that of N. apis is 2.5%, with large differences in the types of transposons present among these 3 species. Gene function annotation indicates that the number of genes participating in most metabolic activities is similar in all three species. However, the number of genes in the transcription, general function, and cysteine protease categories is greater in N. apis than in the other two species. Our studies further characterize the evolution of the Nosema/Vairimorpha clade of microsporidia. These organisms maintain variable but very reduced genomes. We are interested in understanding the effects of genetic drift versus natural selection on genome size in the microsporidia and in developing a testable hypothesis for further studies on the genomic ecology of this group.

  • The Genome of Nosema sp. Isolate YNPr: A Comparative Analysis of Genome Evolution within the Nosema/Vairimorpha Clade
    2016
    Co-Authors: Xiaoyan Zhang, Zeyang Zhou, Bettina A. Debrunner-vossbrinck, Charles R. Vossbrinck
    Abstract:

    The microsporidian parasite designated here as Nosema sp. Isolate YNPr was isolated from the cabbage butterfly Pieris rapae collected in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The genome was sequenced by Illumina sequencing and compared to those of two related members of the Nosema/Vairimorpha clade, Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis. Based upon assembly statistics, the Nosema sp. YNPr genome is 3.36 x 106bp with a G+C content of 23.18% and 2,075 protein coding sequences. An “ACCCTT” motif is present approximately 50-bp upstream of the start codon, as reported from other members of the clade and from Encephalitozoon cuniculi, a sister taxon. Comparative small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) analysis as well as genome-wide phylogenetic analysis confirms a closer relationship between N. ceranae and Nosema sp. YNPr than between the two honeybee parasites N. ceranae and N. apis. The more closely related N. ceranae and Nosema sp. YNPr show similarities in a number of structural characteristics such as gene synteny, gene length, gene number, transposon composition and gene reduction. Based on transposable element content of the assemblies, the transposon content of Nosema sp. YNPr is 4.8%, that of N. ceranae is 3.7%, and that of N. apis is 2.5%, with large differences in the types of transposons present among these 3 species. Gene function annotation indicates that the number of genes participating in most metabolic activities is similar in all three species. However, the number of genes in the transcription, general function, and cysteine protease categories is greater in N. apis than in the other two species. Our studies further characterize the evolution of the Nosema/Vairimorpha clade of microsporidia. These organisms maintain variable but very reduced genomes. We are interested in understanding the effects of genetic drift versus natural selection on genome size in the microsporidia and in developing a testable hypothesis for further studies on the genomic ecology of this group.

  • Vairimorpha disparis n comb microsporidia burenellidae a redescription and taxonomic revision of thelohania disparis timofejeva 1956 a microsporidian parasite of the gypsy moth lymantria dispar l lepidoptera lymantriidae
    Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, 2006
    Co-Authors: Jiri Vavra, Gernot Hoch, Andreas Linde, Jaroslav Weiser, Charles R. Vossbrinck, Miroslav Hylis, Daniela Pilarska, Michael L Mcmanus, Leellen F. Solter
    Abstract:

    . Investigation of pathogens of populations of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) in Central and Eastern Europe revealed the existence of a microsporidium (Fungi: Microsporidia) of the genus Vairimorpha. The parasite produced three spore morphotypes. Internally infective spores are formed in the gut and adjacent muscle and connective tissue; single diplokaryotic spores and monokaryotic spores grouped by eight in sporophorous vesicles develop in the fat body tissues. The small subunit rDNA gene sequences of various isolates of the Vairimorpha microsporidia, obtained from L. dispar in various habitats in the investigated region, revealed their mutual identity. In phylogenetic analyses, the organism clustered with other L. dispar microsporidia that form only diplokaryotic spores in the sporogony cycle. The octospores of certain microsporidia infecting Lepidoptera that were previously described as Thelohania spp., have recently been shown to be one of the several spore morphotypes produced by species in the genus Vairimorpha. Because the description and drawings of a parasite described as Thelohania disparis by Timofejeva fit the characteristics of Vairimorpha, and all octospore-producing microsporidia collected from L. dispar since 1985 are genetically identical Vairimorpha species, it is believed that the parasite characterized here is identical to T. disparis Timofejeva 1956, and is herein redescribed, characterized, and transferred to the genus Vairimorpha as the new combination Vairimorpha disparis n. comb.

  • a mitochondrial hsp70 orthologue in Vairimorpha necatrix molecular evidence that microsporidia once contained mitochondria
    Current Biology, 1997
    Co-Authors: Robert P. Hirt, Charles R. Vossbrinck, Elizabeth U. Canning, Bryan Healy, Martin T Embley
    Abstract:

    Microsporidia are small (1-20 micron) obligate intracellular parasites of a variety of eukaryotes, and they are serious opportunistic pathogens of immunocompromised patients [1]. Microsporidia are often assigned to the first branch in gene trees of eukaryotes [2,3], and are reported to lack mitochondria [2,4]. Like diplomonads and trichomonads, microsporidia are hypothesised to have diverged from the main eukaryotic stock prior to the event that led to the mitochondrion endosymbiosis [2,4]. They have thus assumed importance as putative relics of premitochondrion eukaryote evolution. Recent data have now revealed that diplomonads and trichomonads contain genes that probably originated from the mitochondrion endosymbiont [5-9], leaving microsporidia as chief candidates for an extant primitively amitochondriate eukaryote group. We have now identified a gene in the microsporidium Vairimorpha necatrix that appears to be orthologous to the eukaryotic (symbiont-derived) Hsp70 gene, the protein product of which normally functions in mitochondria. The simplest interpretation of our data is that microporidia have lost mitochondria while retaining genetic evidence of their past presence. This strongly suggests that microsporidia are not primitively amitochondriate and makes feasible an evolutionary scenario whereby all extant eukaryotes share a common ancestor which contained mitochondria.

Leellen F. Solter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A formal redefinition of the genera Nosema and Vairimorpha (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) and reassignment of species based on molecular phylogenetics
    Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2020
    Co-Authors: Yuri S. Tokarev, Wei-fone Huang, Leellen F. Solter, Julia M. Malysh, James J. Becnel, Charles R. Vossbrinck
    Abstract:

    The microsporidian genera Nosema and Vairimorpha comprise a clade described from insects. Currently the genus Nosema is defined as having a dimorphic life cycle characterized by diplokaryotic stages and diplosporoblastic sporogony with two functionally and morphologically distinct spore types ("early" or "primary" and "environmental"). The Vairimorpha life cycle, in addition to a Nosema-type diplokaryotic sporogony, includes an octosporoblastic sporogony producing eight uninucleate spores (octospores) within a sporophorous vesicle. Molecular phylogeny, however, has clearly demonstrated that the genera Nosema and Vairimorpha, characterized by the absence or presence of uninucleate octospores, respectively, represent two polyphyletic taxa, and that octosporogony is turned on and off frequently within taxa, depending on environmental factors such as host species and rearing temperature. In addition, recent studies have shown that both branches of the Vairimorpha-Nosema clade contain species that are uninucleate throughout their life cycle. The SSU rRNA gene sequence data reveal two distinct clades, those closely related to Vairimorpha necatrix, the type species for the genus Vairimorpha, and those closely related to Nosema bombycis, the type species for the genus Nosema. Here, we redefine the two genera, giving priority to molecular character states over those observed at the developmental, structural or ultrastructural levels and present a list of revised species designations. Using this approach, a series of species are renamed (combination novum) and members of two genera, Rugispora and Oligosporidium, are reassigned to Vairimorpha because of their phylogenetic position. Moreover, the family Nosematidae is redefined and includes the genera Nosema and Vairimorpha comprising a monophyletic lineage of Microsporidia.

  • A new microsporidian species, Vairimorpha ocinarae n. sp., isolated from Ocinara lida Moore (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) in Taiwan
    Journal of invertebrate pathology, 2008
    Co-Authors: Chih-yuan Wang, Leellen F. Solter, Wei Fong Huang, Yi Chun Tsai, Chung-hsiung Wang
    Abstract:

    A new microsporidium was isolated from Ocinara lida Moore (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), a pest of Ficus microcarpa L. f. in Taiwan. The microsporidium produces systemic infections in O. lida larvae; the midgut epithelium, Malpighian tubules, and midgut muscle tissues were the target tissues for this isolate, and atrophied fat body tissues were found in heavily infected larvae. Two types of spores were observed, diplokaroytic spores with 11-13 coils of polar tube, and monokaryotic spores with 12 coils of the polar tube that developed within a sporophorous vesicle to form octospores. Electron-dense granules were abundant in the episporontal space of the sporophorous vesicles, and were similar to those of Vairimorpha invictae isolated from Solenopsis invicta, but different from granules or inclusions of other Vairimorpha species. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence, this isolate is unique within the Vairimorpha complex. Morphological and genetic characters showed this isolate to be a new species. It is placed in the genus Vairimorpha and is described as Vairimorpha ocinarae n. sp.

  • Vairimorpha disparis n comb microsporidia burenellidae a redescription and taxonomic revision of thelohania disparis timofejeva 1956 a microsporidian parasite of the gypsy moth lymantria dispar l lepidoptera lymantriidae
    Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, 2006
    Co-Authors: Jiri Vavra, Gernot Hoch, Andreas Linde, Jaroslav Weiser, Charles R. Vossbrinck, Miroslav Hylis, Daniela Pilarska, Michael L Mcmanus, Leellen F. Solter
    Abstract:

    . Investigation of pathogens of populations of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) in Central and Eastern Europe revealed the existence of a microsporidium (Fungi: Microsporidia) of the genus Vairimorpha. The parasite produced three spore morphotypes. Internally infective spores are formed in the gut and adjacent muscle and connective tissue; single diplokaryotic spores and monokaryotic spores grouped by eight in sporophorous vesicles develop in the fat body tissues. The small subunit rDNA gene sequences of various isolates of the Vairimorpha microsporidia, obtained from L. dispar in various habitats in the investigated region, revealed their mutual identity. In phylogenetic analyses, the organism clustered with other L. dispar microsporidia that form only diplokaryotic spores in the sporogony cycle. The octospores of certain microsporidia infecting Lepidoptera that were previously described as Thelohania spp., have recently been shown to be one of the several spore morphotypes produced by species in the genus Vairimorpha. Because the description and drawings of a parasite described as Thelohania disparis by Timofejeva fit the characteristics of Vairimorpha, and all octospore-producing microsporidia collected from L. dispar since 1985 are genetically identical Vairimorpha species, it is believed that the parasite characterized here is identical to T. disparis Timofejeva 1956, and is herein redescribed, characterized, and transferred to the genus Vairimorpha as the new combination Vairimorpha disparis n. comb.

  • the impact of mixed infection of three species of microsporidia isolated from the gypsy moth lymantria dispar l lepidoptera lymantriidae
    Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2002
    Co-Authors: Leellen F. Solter, Daniela Pilarska, Joel P Siegel, Catherine M Higgs
    Abstract:

    The outcome of mixed infection by three species of microsporidia in the genera Endoreticulatus, Nosema, and Vairimorpha, isolated from different populations of Lymantria dispar in Bulgaria, was evaluated in the laboratory. All possible combinations of two species were administered either simultaneously or sequentially to larvae, and mortality, duration of development, and larval weight at 20 days post-infection (simultaneous inoculation) or 23 days post-infection (sequential inoculation) were chosen as the outcome variables. Larvae were also dissected and the presence of each species of microsporidia and the tissues infected were recorded for each treatment. Effects of infection were dependent on both host sex and the type of exposure. Infected larvae were more likely to die than uninfected larvae, but there were no differences in mortality between single and mixed infections. Addition of Endoreticulatus to infections of Nosema or Vairimorpha significantly increased duration of development to the fourth ecdysis; this effect was additive. Addition of Nosema or Vairimorpha to an existing infection had no such effect. When Nosema was administered simultaneously with Endoreticulatus or Vairimorpha, infected larvae weighed more than larvae that had single infections with either pathogen. Nosema was displaced from the silk glands by Vairimorpha and Nosema suppressed octospore formation by Vairimorpha in fat body. The histological evidence combined with the data on larval weight supports the hypothesis that competition occurred in mixed infections.

  • timing of an early sporulation sequence of microsporidia in the genus Vairimorpha microsporidia burenellidae
    Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 1998
    Co-Authors: Leellen F. Solter, Joseph V Maddox
    Abstract:

    An early sporulation event in the host midgut tissues has been reported for several species of microsporidia infecting Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera. The role of these primary spores, formed between 35 and 96 h postinfection per os, has been suggested to be the cell to cell spread of infection within the host, but the sequence of events during the early sporulation stages has been reported for only a few species of microsporidia. We investigated these early life cycle events for two species of microsporidia, Vairimorpha necatrix and Vairimorpha sp. from Lymantria dispar, tested in the laboratory hosts Spodoptera exigua and L. dispar, respectively. We injected hemolymph drawn from orally infected host larvae into uninfected larvae at time periods from 2 to 96 h postinfection to determine the timing of infection of the hemolymph and target tissues. Our studies demonstrated that, for both Vairimorpha species, the early sporulation in the midgut tissues is a discrete first stage of infection. Invasion of the hemolymph and infection of the target tissues follows maturation of "primary spores" in the midgut and coincides with the germination of these spores beginning approximately 30 h postinfection for hosts held at a constant 24 degreesC. The developmental stages of the microsporidia observed in the target tissues at specific time periods postinfection corresponded to the stages observed in the hemocytes, suggesting that sporoplasms from the germinating primary spores are directly injected into the target tissues and the hemolymph. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Zeyang Zhou - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • pathological analysis of silkworm infected by two microsporidia nosema bombycis cq1 and Vairimorpha necatrix bm
    Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Xianzhi Meng, Zeyang Zhou, Bo Luo, Guoqing Pan, Xiangyou Tang, Tingrong Xiong, Zhuoya Fang
    Abstract:

    Microsporidia Nosema bombycis CQ1 can be vertically transmitted in silkworm Bombyx mori but Vairimorpha necatrix BM cannot. Therefore, the pathological differences in silkworm infected with these two microsporidia required clarification. Here, we compared the virulence of N. bombycis CQ1 and V. necatrix BM against silkworm. The pathological characteristics in intestine, testis and ovary were surveyed using paraffin sections, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Our data firstly showed that the virulence of V. necatrix BM was weaker than that of N. bombycis CQ1. Secondly, the typical symptom of V. necatrix BM infection is making xenomas, which are full of pathogens in different stages, at the posterior of intestine. However, no xenomas were formed surrounding intestines infected with N. bombycis CQ1. Thirdly, N. bombycis CQ1 can cluster spores near the trachea while infecting ovaries. It is worth noting that N. bombycis CQ1 infected epithelial cells and connective tissues of ovaries, while V. necatrix BM did not. Although silkworm ovaries can not be infected by V. necatrix BM in vivo, it can infect embryonic and ovarian cell lines in vitro. This study is the first report about comparing infection features of N. bombycis CQ1 and V. necatrix BM in silkworm tissues and it provided elaborate and visual information of pathological characteristics which can help to explain the different transmission strategies of these two microsporidia.

  • the genome of nosema sp isolate ynpr a comparative analysis of genome evolution within the nosema Vairimorpha clade
    PLOS ONE, 2016
    Co-Authors: Xiaoyan Zhang, Zeyang Zhou, Bettina A Debrunnervossbrinck, Charles R. Vossbrinck
    Abstract:

    The microsporidian parasite designated here as Nosema sp. Isolate YNPr was isolated from the cabbage butterfly Pieris rapae collected in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The genome was sequenced by Illumina sequencing and compared to those of two related members of the Nosema/Vairimorpha clade, Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis. Based upon assembly statistics, the Nosema sp. YNPr genome is 3.36 x 106bp with a G+C content of 23.18% and 2,075 protein coding sequences. An "ACCCTT" motif is present approximately 50-bp upstream of the start codon, as reported from other members of the clade and from Encephalitozoon cuniculi, a sister taxon. Comparative small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) analysis as well as genome-wide phylogenetic analysis confirms a closer relationship between N. ceranae and Nosema sp. YNPr than between the two honeybee parasites N. ceranae and N. apis. The more closely related N. ceranae and Nosema sp. YNPr show similarities in a number of structural characteristics such as gene synteny, gene length, gene number, transposon composition and gene reduction. Based on transposable element content of the assemblies, the transposon content of Nosema sp. YNPr is 4.8%, that of N. ceranae is 3.7%, and that of N. apis is 2.5%, with large differences in the types of transposons present among these 3 species. Gene function annotation indicates that the number of genes participating in most metabolic activities is similar in all three species. However, the number of genes in the transcription, general function, and cysteine protease categories is greater in N. apis than in the other two species. Our studies further characterize the evolution of the Nosema/Vairimorpha clade of microsporidia. These organisms maintain variable but very reduced genomes. We are interested in understanding the effects of genetic drift versus natural selection on genome size in the microsporidia and in developing a testable hypothesis for further studies on the genomic ecology of this group.

  • The Genome of Nosema sp. Isolate YNPr: A Comparative Analysis of Genome Evolution within the Nosema/Vairimorpha Clade
    2016
    Co-Authors: Xiaoyan Zhang, Zeyang Zhou, Bettina A. Debrunner-vossbrinck, Charles R. Vossbrinck
    Abstract:

    The microsporidian parasite designated here as Nosema sp. Isolate YNPr was isolated from the cabbage butterfly Pieris rapae collected in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The genome was sequenced by Illumina sequencing and compared to those of two related members of the Nosema/Vairimorpha clade, Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis. Based upon assembly statistics, the Nosema sp. YNPr genome is 3.36 x 106bp with a G+C content of 23.18% and 2,075 protein coding sequences. An “ACCCTT” motif is present approximately 50-bp upstream of the start codon, as reported from other members of the clade and from Encephalitozoon cuniculi, a sister taxon. Comparative small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) analysis as well as genome-wide phylogenetic analysis confirms a closer relationship between N. ceranae and Nosema sp. YNPr than between the two honeybee parasites N. ceranae and N. apis. The more closely related N. ceranae and Nosema sp. YNPr show similarities in a number of structural characteristics such as gene synteny, gene length, gene number, transposon composition and gene reduction. Based on transposable element content of the assemblies, the transposon content of Nosema sp. YNPr is 4.8%, that of N. ceranae is 3.7%, and that of N. apis is 2.5%, with large differences in the types of transposons present among these 3 species. Gene function annotation indicates that the number of genes participating in most metabolic activities is similar in all three species. However, the number of genes in the transcription, general function, and cysteine protease categories is greater in N. apis than in the other two species. Our studies further characterize the evolution of the Nosema/Vairimorpha clade of microsporidia. These organisms maintain variable but very reduced genomes. We are interested in understanding the effects of genetic drift versus natural selection on genome size in the microsporidia and in developing a testable hypothesis for further studies on the genomic ecology of this group.

  • morphological and molecular studies of Vairimorpha necatrix bm a new strain of the microsporidium v necatrix microsporidia burenellidae recorded in the silkworm bombyx mori
    Experimental Parasitology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Bo Luo, Zeyang Zhou, Handeng Liu, Guoqing Pan, Xiaoqun Dang, Tie Liu
    Abstract:

    Abstract Vairimorpha sp. BM (2012) is a recent isolate of the microsporidia from the silkworm in Shandong, China. The ultrastructure, tissue pathology and molecular characterization of this isolate is described in this study. This pathogenic fungus causes pebrine disease in silkworms which manifests as a systemic infection. Meanwhile, the silkworm eggs produced by the infected moths were examined using a microscope and PCR amplification. Neither spores nor the expected PCR band were observed, suggesting that no vertical transmission occurred in Bombyx mori . In addition, the ultrastructure of the isolate was studied by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Two types of spores were observed: diplokaroytic spores with 13–17 coils of polar tubes and monokaryotic spores with less coils of polar tubes which could form octospores; however, no sporophorous vesicles were observed. Finally, phylogenetic analysis of the small subunit rRNA genes of Vairimorpha species showed that this isolate has a closer relationship to Vairimorpha necatrix than the other species studied. This result also is supported by phylogenetic analysis based on their actin genes, heat shock protein 70 ( HSP70 ) and RNA polymerase II ( RPB1 ). Based on the information gained during this study, we propose that this microsporidian species infecting B. mori should be given the name V. necatrix BM.

  • Ultrastructure, chromosomal karyotype, and molecular phylogeny of a new isolate of microsporidian Vairimorpha sp. BM (Microsporidia, Nosematidae) from Bombyx mori in China
    Parasitology Research, 2011
    Co-Authors: Tian Li, Wei Huang, Zeyang Zhou
    Abstract:

    The spore morphology, chromosomal karyotype, and molecular systematic of a new microsporidian which was isolated from the domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) in Shandong, China have been studied. The spores were long oval and measured 3.4 × 1.6 μm on fresh smears. Ultrastructure of the spores was characteristic for the genus Vairimorpha: 13–15 polar filament coils, posterior vacuole, and a diplokaryon. Six chromosome bands have been separated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. The sequenced complete rRNA gene of this isolate is 4,231 bp long. Phylogenetic analysis based on SSU rRNA gene and LSU rRNA gene both revealed that this novel microsporidian which was isolated from B. mori had close relationship to the genus Vairimorpha, not to the genus Nosema. Moreover, the organization of the rRNA units of this microsporidian is not similar to that of Nosema bombycis, but same to that of other microsporidian, such as Vairimorpha necatrix. Although this microsporidian, designed as Vairimorpha sp. BM, was isolated from B. mori, all of these informations indicate that this isolate is closely related to the Vairimorpha group.

Gernot Hoch - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Influence of the forest caterpillar hunter Calosoma sycophanta on the transmission of microsporidia in larvae of the gypsy moth
    2016
    Co-Authors: Lymantria Dispar, Gernot Hoch
    Abstract:

    Abstract 1 The behaviour of predators can be an important factor in the transmission success of an insect pathogen. We studied how Calosoma sycophanta influences the interaction between its prey [Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae)] and two microsporidian pathogens [Nosema lymantriae (Microsporidia, Nosematidae) and Vairimorpha disparis (Microsporidia, Burellenidae)] infecting the prey. 2 Using laboratory experiments, C. sycophanta was allowed to forage on infected and uninfected L. dispar larvae and to disseminate microsporidian spores when preying or afterwards with faeces. 3 The beetle disseminated spores of N. lymantriae and V. disparis when preying upon infected larvae, as well as after feeding on such prey. Between 45 % and 69 % of test larvae became infected when C. sycophanta was allowed to disseminate spores of either microsporidium. 4 Laboratory choice experiments showed that C. sycophanta did not discriminate between Nosema-infected and uninfected gypsy moth larvae. Calosoma sycophanta preferred Vairimorpha-infected over uninfected gypsy moth larvae and significantl

  • influence of the forest caterpillar hunter calosoma sycophanta on the transmission of microsporidia in larvae of the gypsy moth lymantria dispar
    Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Dorte Goertz, Gernot Hoch
    Abstract:

    1 The behaviour of predators can be an important factor in the transmission success of an insect pathogen. We studied how Calosoma sycophanta influences the interaction between its prey [Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae)] and two microsporidian pathogens [Nosema lymantriae (Microsporidia, Nosematidae) and Vairimorpha disparis (Microsporidia, Burellenidae)] infecting the prey. 2 Using laboratory experiments, C. sycophanta was allowed to forage on infected and uninfected L. dispar larvae and to disseminate microsporidian spores when preying or afterwards with faeces. 3 The beetle disseminated spores of N. lymantriae and V. disparis when preying upon infected larvae, as well as after feeding on such prey. Between 45% and 69% of test larvae became infected when C. sycophanta was allowed to disseminate spores of either microsporidium. 4 Laboratory choice experiments showed that C. sycophanta did not discriminate between Nosema-infected and uninfected gypsy moth larvae. Calosoma sycophanta preferred Vairimorpha-infected over uninfected gypsy moth larvae and significantly influenced transmission. 5 When C. sycophanta was allowed to forage during the latent period on infected and uninfected larvae reared together on caged, potted oak saplings, the percentage of V. disparis infection among test larvae increased by more than 70%. The transmission of N. lymantriae was not affected significantly in these experiments. 6 Beetles never became infected with either microsporidian species after feeding on infected prey. 7 We conclude that the transmission of N. lymantriae is not affected. Because no V. disparis spores are released from living larvae, feeding on infected larvae might enhance transmission by reducing the time to death and therefore the latent period.

  • horizontal transmission pathways of terrestrial microsporidia a quantitative comparison of three pathogens infecting different organs in lymantria dispar l lep lymantriidae larvae
    Biological Control, 2008
    Co-Authors: Dorte Goertz, Gernot Hoch
    Abstract:

    Abstract Pathways for horizontal transmission of three microsporidian species, such as transmission via silk, feces, cadaver, exuviae and direct contact, were studied in Lymantria dispar larvae. The midgut infecting Endoreticulatus schubergi caused low larval mortality; 60% of infected L. dispar survived until the adult stage. An infected larva released on average 1.6 × 108 spores with feces until pupation, indicating that this is the main route for transmission. The more virulent fat body parasite, Vairimorpha disparis, caused the early death of infected L. dispar larvae. The high spore load of the cadaver (4.6 × 109 spores/cadaver), which was independent of the inoculation dosage, indicates that the release of spores from decomposing cadavers is the main transmission pathway. The third studied microsporidium, Nosema lymantriae, caused a systemic infection and killed the host mostly in the larval stage (>90%). Spores were released from living hosts with feces (2.7 × 108 spores in total), and later from decomposing cadavers (4.9 × 109 spores/cadaver on average). Thus, we assume that both pathways are important for this species. Susceptible larvae contracted an infection with N. lymantriae or E. schubergi when they came into contact with either infected larvae or their exuviae.

  • Vairimorpha disparis n comb microsporidia burenellidae a redescription and taxonomic revision of thelohania disparis timofejeva 1956 a microsporidian parasite of the gypsy moth lymantria dispar l lepidoptera lymantriidae
    Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, 2006
    Co-Authors: Jiri Vavra, Gernot Hoch, Andreas Linde, Jaroslav Weiser, Charles R. Vossbrinck, Miroslav Hylis, Daniela Pilarska, Michael L Mcmanus, Leellen F. Solter
    Abstract:

    . Investigation of pathogens of populations of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) in Central and Eastern Europe revealed the existence of a microsporidium (Fungi: Microsporidia) of the genus Vairimorpha. The parasite produced three spore morphotypes. Internally infective spores are formed in the gut and adjacent muscle and connective tissue; single diplokaryotic spores and monokaryotic spores grouped by eight in sporophorous vesicles develop in the fat body tissues. The small subunit rDNA gene sequences of various isolates of the Vairimorpha microsporidia, obtained from L. dispar in various habitats in the investigated region, revealed their mutual identity. In phylogenetic analyses, the organism clustered with other L. dispar microsporidia that form only diplokaryotic spores in the sporogony cycle. The octospores of certain microsporidia infecting Lepidoptera that were previously described as Thelohania spp., have recently been shown to be one of the several spore morphotypes produced by species in the genus Vairimorpha. Because the description and drawings of a parasite described as Thelohania disparis by Timofejeva fit the characteristics of Vairimorpha, and all octospore-producing microsporidia collected from L. dispar since 1985 are genetically identical Vairimorpha species, it is believed that the parasite characterized here is identical to T. disparis Timofejeva 1956, and is herein redescribed, characterized, and transferred to the genus Vairimorpha as the new combination Vairimorpha disparis n. comb.

  • alterations in carbohydrate and fatty acid levels of lymantria dispar larvae caused by a microsporidian infection and potential adverse effects on a co occurring endoparasitoid glyptapanteles liparidis
    Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 2002
    Co-Authors: Gernot Hoch, Christa Schafellner, Michael W Henn, Axel Schopf
    Abstract:

    Infection of Lymantria dispar host larvae by the entomopathogenic microsporidium Vairimorpha sp. has a negative impact on the performance of the endoparasitic braconid Glyptapanteles liparidis. To investigate possible causes for this effect, we studied to what extent nutritional host suitability is altered by the microsporidium. Therefore, we analyzed carbohydrates and fatty acids in host larvae after Vairimorpha infection and/or parasitism by G. liparidis. Trehalose levels were significantly reduced in the hemolymph of infected hosts. After day five post infection, it was detected only in traces. Four to six days later, the glycogen resources were depleted in infected larvae. Parasitism by G. liparidis, on the other hand, led to increased hemolymph trehalose levels during the early endoparasitic phase but to a significant decrease at the end of its larval development. No effect of parasitism on the glycogen content was ascertained. Hemolymph levels of the fatty acids analyzed, such as palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid, were significantly reduced in microsporidia-infected L. dispar. Vairimorpha sp. develops as an intracellular parasite in the fat body of the host larva and synthesis of trehalose and fatty acids may be disturbed. Moreover, microsporidia may also harness metabolites or energy produced by host cells. We conclude that the microsporidia-induced decrease in hemolymph carbohydrates and fatty acids adversely affects growth and development of parasitoid larvae. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 50:109–120, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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  • Vairimorpha imperfecta n.sp., a microsporidian exhibiting an abortive octosporous sporogony in Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae).
    Parasitology, 1999
    Co-Authors: Elizabeth U. Canning, A. Curry, Sarah A. Cheney, Nathalie J. Lafranchi-tristem, Ma Haque
    Abstract:

    The microsporidian genus Nosema is characterized by development in direct control with host cell cytoplasm, diplokaryotic nuclei throughout development and disporous sporogony. The genus Vairimorpha exhibits the same features plus an octoporous sporogony producing uninucleate spores in a sporophorous vesicle. A microsporidium from diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella , falls between Nosema and Vairimorpha in that it initiates but fails to complete the octosporous sequence in this host. The name Vairimorpha imperfecta n.sp. is proposed. Merogony is mainly by formation of buds from multinucleate meronts, the buds remaining attached in chains. Diplokaryotic spores measure 4·3×2·0 μm (fresh) and have 15·5 coils of the polar tube in 1 rank. The octosporous sporogony is aborted owing to irregular formation of nuclear spindles, incomplete cytoplasmic fission and bizarre deposition of electron-dense episporontal secretions. Phylogenetic analyses of the sequences of the small subunit rRNA genes of V. imperfecta and of several Nosema and Vairimorpha spp. place V. imperfecta in a clade with Nosema spp. from Lepidoptera rather than in the clade containing the more typical species of Vairimorpha . It is suggested that the ancestors of the Vairimorpha / Nosema complex of species exhibited both disporous and octosporous sporogonies, as does the type species of Vairimorpha , Vairimorpha necatrix . It would follow that true Nosema spp. have lost the ability to express an octosporous sequence and that V. imperfecta is in the process of losing it. It is proposed that the genera Nosema and Vairimorpha be placed in the same family Nosematidae Labbe 1899, rather than in separate families and orders as at present.

  • entomopathogenicity of Vairimorpha sp microsporidia in the diamondback moth plutella xylostella lepidoptera yponomeutidae
    Bulletin of Entomological Research, 1999
    Co-Authors: Ma Haque, Elizabeth U. Canning, Denis J Wright
    Abstract:

    The biocontrol potential of a microsporidian pathogen, Vairimorpha sp., obtained from field collected diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella Linnaeus, was assessed in a laboratory colony of this insect. The pathogenicity was quantified using a standard bioassay procedure by infecting second instar larvae per os with variable dose levels of the pathogen. Vairimorpha sp. caused 100% mortality even at a dosage of 1.5 x 10 3 spores per larva. The median lethal dose (LD 50 ) was 2.2 x 10 4 spores per larva on day 5 post-inoculation. The time taken to achieve 90–100% mortality was dose dependent and varied from 5 days with 1.5 x 10 6 spores per larva to 11 days with 1.5 x 10 3 spores per larva. The pathogen reduced the food consumption of P. xylostella larvae by 75%, 93% and 95% at doses 1.5 x 10 4 , 1.5 x 10 5 and 1.5 x 10 6 spores per larva, respectively. Histological observations showed that the pathogen preferentially infected adipose tissue cells but spread to almost all tissues. The pathogen was transmitted transovarially as well as horizontally and had a marked influence on progeny performance. It was concluded that Vairimorpha sp. has sufficient potential to be tested in the field as a biocontrol agent for P. xylostella .