Genomic Analyses of , A Quarantine Agricultural Pathogen in Idaho.

is among the most significant plant-parasitic nematodes worldwide, causing major damage to potato production. Since it was discovered in Idaho in 2006, eradication efforts have aimed to contain and eradicate through phytosanitary action and soil fumigation. In this study, we investigated genome-wide patterns of genetic variation across Idaho fields to evaluate whether the infestation resulted from a single or multiple introduction(s) and to investigate potential evolutionary responses since the time of infestation.

Genome Announcement: The Draft Genomes of Two populations from Costa Rica.

is an economically important pest of both banana and citrus in tropical regions. Here we present draft genomes from two populations of from Costa Rica that were created and assembled using short read libraries from Illumina HiSeq technology.

Variable Abundance and Distribution of and Endosymbionts in Plant-Parasitic Nematode Field Populations.

The bacterial endosymbiont interacts with different invertebrate hosts, engaging in diverse symbiotic relationships. is often a reproductive parasite in arthropods, but an obligate mutualist in filarial nematodes. was recently discovered in plant-parasitic nematodes, and, is thus far known in just two genera and , yet the symbiont's function remains unknown.

Comparative Genomics of - Dual Endosymbiosis in a Plant-Parasitic Nematode.

and are among the most important and widespread of all endosymbionts, occurring in nematodes and more than half of insect and arachnid species, sometimes as coinfections. These symbionts are of significant interest as potential biocontrol agents due to their abilities to cause major effects on host biology and reproduction through cytoplasmic incompatibility, sex ratio distortion, or obligate mutualism. The ecological and metabolic effects of coinfections are not well understood.

Genomic evidence for plant-parasitic nematodes as the earliest Wolbachia hosts.

Wolbachia, one of the most widespread endosymbionts, is a target for biological control of mosquito-borne diseases (malaria and dengue virus), and antibiotic elimination of infectious filarial nematodes. We sequenced and analyzed the genome of a new Wolbachia strain (wPpe) in the plant-parasitic nematode Pratylenchus penetrans. Phylogenomic analyses placed wPpe as the earliest diverging Wolbachia, suggesting two evolutionary invasions into nematodes.

Comparative Genomics of a Plant-Parasitic Nematode Endosymbiont Suggest a Role in Nutritional Symbiosis.

Bacterial mutualists can modulate the biochemical capacity of animals. Highly coevolved nutritional mutualists do this by synthesizing nutrients missing from the host's diet. Genomics tools have advanced the study of these partnerships.