Detection of differential host susceptibility to the marine oomycete pathogen Eurychasma dicksonii by real-time PCR: not all algae are equal.

摘要: In the marine environment, a growing body of evidence points to parasites as key players in control population dynamics and overall ecosystem structure. However, their prevalence impact on macroalgal communities remain virtually unknown. Indeed, infectious diseases seaweeds are largely underdocumented, partly because expertise required diagnose them with microscope. Over last few years, however, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) has emerged rapid reliable alternative visual symptom scoring for monitoring pathogens. Thus, we present here qPCR assay suitable detection quantification intracellular oomycete pathogen Eurychasma dicksonii its ectocarpalean laminarialean brown algal hosts. microscopic observations made laboratory-controlled cultures revealed that clonal strains exhibit different levels resistance against Eurychasma, ranging from high susceptibility complete absence symptoms. This observation strongly argues existence genetic determinism disease algae, which would have broad implications structure natural populations. We also used filamentous algae collected Northern Europe South America found is specific, robust, widely applicable field samples. Hence, this study opens perspective combining large-scale experiments genome model seaweed Ectocarpus siliculosus improve our understanding diseases.