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Powder puff spiroplasma: A new epiphytic mycoplasma

R E McCoy1, H G Basham, R E Davis

  • 1Agricultural Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 3205 S.W. College Avenue, 33314, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

Microbial Ecology
|November 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

A novel spiroplasma, strain PPS1, was identified in Calliandra haematocephala flowers. This organism is serologically distinct from Spiroplasma citri and other known spiroplasmas.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Plant Pathology
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Spiroplasmas are helical, wall-less prokaryotes that can inhabit plants and insects.
  • Spiroplasma citri is a well-known plant pathogen, but the diversity and ecological roles of other spiroplasmas remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a spiroplasma strain (PPS1) isolated from healthy Calliandra haematocephala flowers.
  • To determine the taxonomic and ecological distinctiveness of strain PPS1.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and cultivation of spiroplasma strain PPS1.
  • Serological tests including growth inhibition, fluorescent antibody, and ELISA.
  • DNA guanine + cytosine content analysis.
  • Physiological characterization (sterol requirement, digitonin sensitivity, temperature range, substrate hydrolysis).

Main Results:

  • Strain PPS1 was isolated from healthy Calliandra haematocephala flowers in Florida.
  • PPS1 is serologically distinct from Spiroplasma citri and other described spiroplasmas.
  • DNA analysis confirmed PPS1's distinctiveness.
  • PPS1 requires sterol for growth, is inhibited by digitonin, grows between 20-30°C, and does not hydrolyze arginine or urea.

Conclusions:

  • Strain PPS1 represents a new serogroup within the Spiroplasmataceae.
  • The ease of isolating spiroplasmas from healthy plant surfaces suggests caution is needed when implicating these organisms in plant diseases.
  • The ecological role of flower-inhabiting spiroplasmas requires further investigation.

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