Understanding the recent colonization history of a plant pathogenic fungus using population genetic tools and Approximate Bayesian Computation.

Understanding the processes by which new diseases are introduced in previously healthy areas is of major interest in elaborating prevention and management policies, as well as in understanding the dynamics of pathogen diversity at large spatial scale. In this study, we aimed to decipher the dispersal processes that have led to the emergence of the plant pathogenic fungus Microcyclus ulei, which is responsible for the South American Leaf Blight (SALB). This fungus has devastated rubber tree plantations across Latin America since the beginning of the twentieth century. As only imprecise historical information is available, the study of population evolutionary history based on population genetics appeared most appropriate. The distribution of genetic diversity in a continental sampling of four countries (Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala and French Guiana) was studied using a set of 16 microsatellite markers developed specifically for this purpose. A very strong genetic structure was found (F(st)=0.70), demonstrating that there has been no regular gene flow between Latin American M. ulei populations. Strong bottlenecks probably occurred at the foundation of each population. The most likely scenario of colonization identified by the Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) method implemented in DIYABC suggested two independent sources from the Amazonian endemic area. The Brazilian, Ecuadorian and Guatemalan populations might stem from serial introductions through human-mediated movement of infected plant material from an unsampled source population, whereas the French Guiana population seems to have arisen from an independent colonization event through spore dispersal.

Genetic diversity among wild and cultivated populations of Hevea brasiliensis assessed by nuclear RFLP analysis.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism was assessed in wild and cultivated populations of Hevea brasiliensis using random probes from an Hevea nuclear library. One-hundred-and-sixty-four individuals were surveyed, and the results discussed in the light of previous work performed on isozyme variation. Both studies show that germplasm collections have led to an effective enrichment of the genetic resources available for Hevea breeding, and that cultivated clones have conserved a relatively high level of polymorphism, despite their narrow genetic base and their high level of inbreeding. An equivalent level of polymorphism is revealed by random nuclear probes and isozymes. However, the genetic structuring of the diversity appears more striking using RFLP markers. Wild accessions can be divided into three genetic groups according to their geographical origin. The present results are an essential guide to the incorporation of wild material in breeding schemes.

Ribosomal DNA variations in wild and cultivated rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis).

Ribosomal DNA variations were surveyed to assess the genetic variability among Hevea brasiliensis genetic resources. One hundred and sixty-eight individuals, including 73 cultivated Wickham clones and 95 wild clones from a prospection, were analyzed. Restriction mapping of rDNA units showed that RFLP variations are the result of both length and site (EcoRI) variations in the intergenic spacer (IGS). These variations can be revealed between as well as within individuals. A total of 12 spacer length variants is scored in the whole population, as well as two different ribosomal units (refered as type I and type II), defined by the presence or absence of an EcoRI site. Particular associations between spacer length variants and unit types can be revealed, leading to complex RFLP patterns. Cultivated clones appear to be less variable than prospections but show, however, a relatively high level of variability despite their narrow genetic base. Furthermore, IGS variations allowed a structuring within wild clones to be drawn, based mainly on their geographical origin. Some interesting discrepancies with previous work on isozyme variations are discussed and show the interest of surveying different genetic markers for diversity studies.