<br><font size=3 face="sans-serif">Congratulations to you, Luke, for unlocking
this fungal mystery! And to our Crummies Creek (WV) colleague, Russ Richardson,
who really took the initiative to explore this strange new disease. I hope
that the connections you make on these lists will provide you with more
study material to better understand the ecology and ecological impacts
of this pathogen. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=3 face="sans-serif">As you may recall, one of my biggest
concerns is whether this fungus is able to infect the native species around
it (esp. the understory). Appalachia supports a number of important
non-timber forest products (NTFPs) - some of which may be imperiled in
parts of their range. These NTFPs are often harvested from the wild for
local and commercial consumption and are an important source of income
to local economies. So, whatever you can do to make sure that aspect stays
on your research radar screen would be appreciated. Certainly you
might find knowledgable contacts on these lists at other universities that
may be able to collaborate with you or compliment the work you are doing.
</font>
<br>
<br><font size=3 face="sans-serif">Best of luck and keep us posted!</font>
<br>
<br><font size=3 face="sans-serif">Thank you,</font>
<br><font size=3 face="sans-serif">Patricia</font>
<br>
<br><font size=3 face="sans-serif">(Pardon cross-postings, but this issue
really spans the gap between the Alien and Medicinal Plant Working Groups).</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.<br>
Botanist, Division of Scientific Authority-US Fish & Wildlife Service-International
Affairs<br>
Chair, Medicinal Plant Working Group-Plant Conservation Alliance<br>
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110<br>
Arlington, VA 22203<br>
703-358-1708 x1753<br>
FAX: 703-358-2276<br>
<br>
Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native medicinal plants.
<br>
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal><br>
<br>
Follow International Affairs<br>
> on Twitter </font><a href=http://twitter.com/USFWSInternatl><font size=2 face="sans-serif">http://twitter.com/USFWSInternatl<br>
> on Facebook </font><a href=http://www.facebook.com/USFWS_InternationalAffairs><font size=2 face="sans-serif">http://www.facebook.com/USFWS_InternationalAffairs</font></a></a>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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<td width=40%><font size=1 face="sans-serif"><b>"S. Luke Flory"
<sflory@indiana.edu></b> </font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Sent by: apwg-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org</font>
<p><font size=1 face="sans-serif">06/15/2012 09:10 AM</font>
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<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">To</font></div>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">"MIPN@yahoogroups.com" <MIPN@yahoogroups.com>,
"APWG@lists.plantconservation.org" <APWG@lists.plantconservation.org></font>
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<td>
<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">cc</font></div>
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<td>
<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Subject</font></div>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">[APWG] Microstegium (stiltgass) disease</font></table>
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<br>
<br>
<br><font size=3>Hi folks,<br>
<br>
As many of you are aware populations of Microstegium throughout the invaded
range in the eastern US have been exhibiting disease symptoms. We have
identified the responsible pathogens as two new, undescribed species of
fungi in the genus Bipolaris. Furthermore, we have recently shown that
these pathogens are having significant effects on the growth and reproduction
of Mv. More information in publications on my web site (florylab.com).
We are currently investigating the relationship between the age and size
of invasions and pathogen occurrence, and the ecological effects of disease
on Mv populations and co-occurring native species. To accomplish these
goals it would be very helpful to have fresh samples of diseased plants
from across the range of Mv invasions. <b><br>
<br>
If you are willing to collect diseased samples of Mv from your area please
contact me and I will send a sampling protocol. We will pay shipping via
FedEx.</b><br>
<br>
Thanks in advance. The community of land managers and researchers on this
list has been very helpful in research efforts in the past and I think
it represents a great example of the potential collaboration between managers
and researchers. For example, we have published two papers on the differences
between invasive and native populations of Mv using samples collected in
part through contacts made on this list. <br>
<br>
Luke </font>
<br><tt><font size=3>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
S. Luke Flory<br>
University of Florida<br>
Office: 352-392-1117<br>
Cell: 352-231-2376<br>
</font></tt><a href=http://www.florylab.com/><tt><font size=3 color=blue><u>www.florylab.com</u></font></tt></a><tt><font size=2><br>
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