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1. Complete chloroplast genome of the marine eelgrass Zostera pacifica (Zosteraceae, Plantae) from Monterey, California

   https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.01189-24  

   Abdulrahman, Sosan; Aguirre, Adilene; Arriaga, Eliana; Avina, Ashley C; Badajos, Angeles; Badillo, Yureni A; Bañuelos, Alexis M; Pulido, Javier; Bucio_Valdovinos, Bet-sua; Champaco, Taliyah; et al (February 2025, Microbiology Resource Announcements)

   Pritchard, Leighton (Ed.)

   ABSTRACT We present the complete chloroplast genome of the eelgrassZostera pacificafrom Monterey, California. The genome is circular and 144,675  bp in length. It consists of 82 protein-coding, 31 transfer RNA, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes and is 99.44%–99.42% similar in nucleotide pairwise identity to the closely related speciesZostera marina. 

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2. Mitochondrial genome diversity across the subphylum Saccharomycotina

   https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1268944  

   Wolters, John F.; LaBella, Abigail L.; Opulente, Dana A.; Rokas, Antonis; Hittinger, Chris Todd (November 2023, Frontiers in Microbiology)

   IntroductionEukaryotic life depends on the functional elements encoded by both the nuclear genome and organellar genomes, such as those contained within the mitochondria. The content, size, and structure of the mitochondrial genome varies across organisms with potentially large implications for phenotypic variance and resulting evolutionary trajectories. Among yeasts in the subphylum Saccharomycotina, extensive differences have been observed in various species relative to the model yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae, but mitochondrial genome sampling across many groups has been scarce, even as hundreds of nuclear genomes have become available. MethodsBy extracting mitochondrial assemblies from existing short-read genome sequence datasets, we have greatly expanded both the number of available genomes and the coverage across sparsely sampled clades. ResultsComparison of 353 yeast mitochondrial genomes revealed that, while size and GC content were fairly consistent across species, those in the generaMetschnikowiaandSaccharomycestrended larger, while several species in the order Saccharomycetales, which includesS. cerevisiae, exhibited lower GC content. Extreme examples for both size and GC content were scattered throughout the subphylum. All mitochondrial genomes shared a core set of protein-coding genes for Complexes III, IV, and V, but they varied in the presence or absence of mitochondrially-encoded canonical Complex I genes. We traced the loss of Complex I genes to a major event in the ancestor of the orders Saccharomycetales and Saccharomycodales, but we also observed several independent losses in the orders Phaffomycetales, Pichiales, and Dipodascales. In contrast to prior hypotheses based on smaller-scale datasets, comparison of evolutionary rates in protein-coding genes showed no bias towards elevated rates among aerobically fermenting (Crabtree/Warburg-positive) yeasts. Mitochondrial introns were widely distributed, but they were highly enriched in some groups. The majority of mitochondrial introns were poorly conserved within groups, but several were shared within groups, between groups, and even across taxonomic orders, which is consistent with horizontal gene transfer, likely involving homing endonucleases acting as selfish elements. DiscussionAs the number of available fungal nuclear genomes continues to expand, the methods described here to retrieve mitochondrial genome sequences from these datasets will prove invaluable to ensuring that studies of fungal mitochondrial genomes keep pace with their nuclear counterparts. 

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3. Genetic and molecular landscapes of the generalist phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea

   https://doi.org/10.1111/mpp.13404  

   Singh, Ritu; Caseys, Celine; Kliebenstein, Daniel J (January 2024, Molecular Plant Pathology)

   Abstract Botrytis cinereaPers. Fr. (teleomorph:Botryotinia fuckeliana) is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen that attacks a wide range of plants. This updated pathogen profile explores the extensive genetic diversity ofB. cinerea, highlights the progress in genome sequencing, and provides current knowledge of genetic and molecular mechanisms employed by the fungus to attack its hosts. In addition, we also discuss recent innovative strategies to combatB. cinerea. TaxonomyKingdom: Fungi, phylum: Ascomycota, subphylum: Pezizomycotina, class: Leotiomycetes, order: Helotiales, family: Sclerotiniaceae, genus:Botrytis, species:cinerea. Host rangeB. cinereainfects almost all of the plant groups (angiosperms, gymnosperms, pteridophytes, and bryophytes). To date, 1606 plant species have been identified as hosts ofB. cinerea. Genetic diversityThis polyphagous necrotroph has extensive genetic diversity at all population levels shaped by climate, geography, and plant host variation. PathogenicityGenetic architecture of virulence and host specificity is polygenic using multiple weapons to target hosts, including secretory proteins, complex signal transduction pathways, metabolites, and mobile small RNA. Disease control strategiesEfforts to controlB. cinerea, being a high‐diversity generalist pathogen, are complicated. However, integrated disease management strategies that combine cultural practices, chemical and biological controls, and the use of appropriate crop varieties will lessen yield losses. Recently, studies conducted worldwide have explored the potential of small RNA as an efficient and environmentally friendly approach for combating grey mould. However, additional research is necessary, especially on risk assessment and regulatory frameworks, to fully harness the potential of this technology. 

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4. Comparative mitogenomic analysis of Sporisorium reilianum f. sp. zeae suggests recombination events during its evolutionary history

   https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2024.1264359  

   Mendoza, Hector; Lamb, Emma A; Thomas, Joshua; Tavares, Derica Goncalves; Schroeder, Luke A; Müller, Christian; Agrawal, Nisha; Schirawski, Jan; Perlin, Michael H (September 2024, Frontiers in Physiology)

   IntroductionModern understanding of the concept of genetic diversity must include the study of both nuclear and organellar DNA, which differ greatly in terms of their structure, organization, gene content and distribution. This study comprises an analysis of the genetic diversity of the smut fungusSporisorium reilianumf. sp.zeaefrom a mitochondrial perspective. MethodsWhole-genome sequencing data was generated from biological samples ofS. reilianumcollected from different geographical regions. Multiple sequence alignment and gene synteny analysis were performed to further characterize genetic diversity in the context of mitogenomic polymorphisms. ResultsMitochondria of strains collected in China contained unique sequences. The largest unique sequence stretch encompassed a portion ofcox1, a mitochondrial gene encoding one of the subunits that make up complex IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This unique sequence had high percent identity to the mitogenome of the related speciesSporisorium scitamineumandUstilago bromivora. DiscussionThe results of this study hint at potential horizontal gene transfer or mitochondrial genome recombination events during the evolutionary history of basidiomycetes. Additionally, the distinct polymorphic region detected in the Chinese mitogenome provides the ideal foundation to develop a diagnostic method to discern between mitotypes and enhance knowledge on the genetic diversity of this organism. 

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5. Detection of invasive Aedes vittatus mosquitoes in Jamaica: molecular identification and surveillance implications

   https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-07066-6  

   Noble, Simmoy_A A; Ali, Reneé_L_M N; Wilson-Clarke, Cameil F; Khouri, Nadia K; Norris, Douglas E; Sandiford, Simone L (December 2025, Parasites & Vectors)

   Abstract BackgroundAedes vittatus, an emerging invasive mosquito of significant public health concern has slowly made its way onto the global radar. With a known geographical range in Africa and Asia, where it is a competent vector for several arboviruses, this mosquito has now been reported in the Americas. As the spread of this mosquito has been partly linked to transcontinental trade and travel, Jamaica, the largest English-speaking country in the Caribbean, which serves as a central hub for trade and transport throughout the region, has been on alert since its identification in neighboring Dominican Republic and Cuba. MethodBG sentinel traps baited with dry ice and a Prokopack aspirator were used to collect adult mosquitoes whereas disposable plastic pipettes were utilized for the collection of immature stages. Larvae were reared to adults, and all mosquitoes were identified using taxonomic keys. Using a genome skimming approach, the mitochondrial genome from two specimens was sequenced and a section of thecytochrome c oxidase subunit Igene was extracted from each mitochondrial genome and used for phylogenetic analysis. ResultsThrough ongoing surveillance efforts from January 2023 to October 2024, we report the detection ofAe.vittatusacross six locations in four parishes in Jamaica. Both larvae and adults were collected from rural and urban areas in the country. Additionally, we present the first complete annotated mitochondrial genomes from two specimens of this invasive mosquito species. Phylogenetic analysis using thecytochrome c oxidase subunit Igene extracted from the derived mitochondrial genomes of JamaicanAe.vittatusand available sequences from the GenBank database revealed clustering with specimens from Cuba, Nepal, and India. ConclusionsThis study is the first confirmed report ofAe.vittatusin Jamaica. Furthermore, it highlights the benefits of routine surveillance and the power of molecular approaches to identify invasive species and their potential origins. 

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