Fungus Ampelomyces infects powdery mildew in new study
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that the hyperparasite fungus Ampelomyces is far more common than previously known after screening museum samples.
Study screens historic fungal samples
Scientists analyzed more than 600 dried specimens from the NC State herbarium to determine how often this parasite appears. These samples were collected across 28 countries over a period of roughly 150 years. The analysis included data available on GenBank, a public database used for sharing genetic sequences. About 7 percent of all powdery mildew specimens examined showed signs of infection by Ampelomyces.
Misidentification errors found in records
Michael Bradshaw, an assistant professor at NC State, noted that around 15 percent of GenBank entries labeled as Ampelomyces were actually misidentified. He explained that incorrect data entry by one scientist often leads others to classify their own samples wrongly. This cycle amplifies errors within large datasets where anyone can input information without strict verification protocols.
Hyperparasites offer disease control hope
Understanding the diversity of these hyperparasites might reveal strains better at controlling plant diseases than others. Bradshaw stated that host specificity varies among the parasites, suggesting some could be very useful in containment efforts. Further research plans to expand sampling across broader geographic regions and diverse host types to gather more data.
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