Biological Invasions (2022) 24, 1359-1373

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Duccio Migliorini, Nicola Luchi, Emanuele Nigrone, Francesco Pecori, Alessia Lucia Pepori and Alberto Santini (2022)
Expansion of ash dieback towards the scattered Fraxinus excelsior range of the Italian peninsula
Biological Invasions 24 (5), 1359-1373
Abstract: Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, causal agent of Ash Dieback, has posed a threat to Fraxinus excelsior (common ash) in Europe since the 1990s. In south-western Europe, optimal climatic conditions for H. fraxineus become scattered and host density decreases, reducing disease spread rates. To date, the Ash Dieback agent has not been reported from southern and most of central Italy, where native F. excelsior is present as small fragmented populations. This study examines the expansion of Ash Dieback into central Italy, and it considers the consequences of further local spread with regards to the loss of F. excelsior genetic resource. Symptomatic F. excelsior were sampled from sixteen sites in northern and central Italy during 2020. Specimens were analyzed with a culturomics and a quantitative PCR approach. A bibliographic search of F. excelsior floristic reports was conducted for the creation of a detailed range map. The combined use of both techniques confirmed the presence of H. fraxineus in all the sites of central Italy where host plants were symptomatic. These new records represent the southern limit of the current known distribution of this pathogen in Italy, and together with Montenegro, in Europe. The characterization of the F. excelsior scattered range suggests that further spread of Ash Dieback across southern Italy is a realistic scenario. This presents a threat not just to the southern European proveniences of F. excelsior, but to the species as a whole, should Ash Dieback lead to the loss of warm climate adapted genetic material, which may become increasingly valuable under climate change.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Nicola Luchi

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
surveys/sampling/distribution


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Beneficial Pest/Disease/Weed Crop/Product Country Quarant.


Hymenoscyphus fraxineus Ash (Fraxinus) Italy