INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFORMATION AND COMPUTING SCIENCE ISSN NO: 0972-1347
1 INTENDED JOURNAL CATEGORIES: Plant Disease Notes, Phytopathology and Plant
2 protection, Plant diseases
3
4 Title:
5 First report of Dendrophthoe falcata parasitizing Thespesia populnea
6
7 Author:
8 Gaurav Mudgal*1, Gajendra Bahadur Singh2
9
10 Author Affiliation and address:
11 Department of Biotechnology, University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University,
12 Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab-140413. India.
13 14 E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected]
15 Telephone No.: +91-9557519824
16 17 18 Abstract
19 20 This is the first incidence of Thespesia populnea as host parasitized by Dendrophthoe falcata.
21 The incidence was recorded at Hyderabad city in the Andhra Pradesh state of India. The
22 hemiparasitic mistletoe exhibited epicortical-roots type hasutoria, unusually hanging spread
23 of its foliage but absence of any floral resemblance to its new host. Associated bioresource
24 and conservation aspects have also been briefed.
25
26 Keywords: Hemiparasite, haustoria, Loranthaceae, Malvaceae, Epicortical Root
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27 Main Text 28 29 Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f) Ettingsh is a hemiparasitic plant belonging to the mistletoe
30 family, Loranthaceae. India’s rich plant biodiversity advocates an exclusive host range
31 numbering 345 plants susceptible to infection from this mistletoe which is a significant
32 number as it contributes to a comparatively recent global record for 401 hosts (Shaw III
33 1993). Two of varieties namely, var. falcata (Honey Suckled Mistletoe) and var. Coccinea
34 (Red Honey Suckled Mistletoe) are predominant in India and are characterized by white and
35 red flowers respectively (Kawale 2016). The epiphyte bears grey barks, thick coriaceous
36 leaves variable in shape with stout flowers. In the Indian subcontinent, infection from D.
37 falcata is commonly broad in extent especially on mango (Mangifera indica), neem
38 (Azadirachta indica), teak (Tectona grandis) and sugar apple (Annona squamosa) etc. As per
39 the available literature, this is the first report that adds Indian Tulip Tree, Thespesia populnea
40 (L.) Sol. ex Corrêa, a member of the Malvaceae (mallow family) to the list of susceptible
41 hosts parasitized by D. falcata var. falcata (Honey Suckled Mistletoe). The parasitic
42 relationship was recorded from the road sides of Miyapur locality in Hyderabad district of
43 Andhra Pradesh (India) wherein other common hosts viz., mango, guava, sugar apple, sapota,
44 neem, night jasmine, yellow cassia and pomegranate also exhibit infestation from D. falcata.
45 The hemiparasite on this newly discovered host was identified as D. falcata var. falcata (Fig
46 1a-1d) on the basis of established floral characteristics (Kawale 2016) shown in the Table 1.
47 Due to an apparent lack of unique characters, high hybridization potential (both intraspecific
48 and inter-specific) it was formerly difficult to correctly circumscribe D. falcata as it
49 resembles very closely with other species in its genus. D. falcata thus itself was previously
50 known as Loranthus longiflorous and regarded as an extremely complex, polymorphic and
51 widespread taxon distributed from India to Australia. In floral and leaf characters it resembles
52 D. pentandra and D. praelonga in Malaysia, and D. vitellina in northern Australia. D.
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53 gjellerupii in New Guinea can only be distinguished from D. falcata based on measurements
54 of corolla which again is highly variable. Morphological distinctiveness among different
55 entities has been observed and exists in conformity with their geographic discontinuity. The
56 Indian entity though in particular is more or less glabrous and glaucous, with fine
57 longitudinal lenticels on the stems (Nickrent 2008). Ariel parasitic plants belonging to the
58 mistletoe families Loranthaceae and Viscaceae are characterized by the formation of
59 haustorial structures at the host parasite interface through which the mistletoe derives water,
60 and dissolved metabolites and nutrients from the host (Kuijt 1969; Wilson and Calvin 2006).
61 Haustorial structures have been classified into four distinct types namely, Epicortical-Roots
62 (ERs), solitary unions, wood roses, and bark strands (Calvin and Wilson 1998). We observed
63 D. falcata haustoria of the type ER that run along the Indian Tulip tree branches (Fig 1b and
64 1d). D. falcata foliage on this new host exhibited unusually hanging spread of long, leafy,
65 unbranched stems extending towards the ground which was also observed in case with a
66 pomegranate host but usually was not observed in other common hosts viz. sugar apple,
67 guava, night jasmine in the same locality. The mistletoe leaf morphology on this newly found
68 host was also distinct compared to that on other hosts and exhibits great variations in shape
69 and thickness. It is known that the mistletoes mimic their corresponding hosts in terms of
70 floral structures probably to safeguard hosts’ individual fitness by signalling the birds to
71 expel mistletoe seeds on other uninfected hosts (Atsatt 1979). Our observations for D. falcata
72 on Indian Tulip Tree host do not fall in agreement with this view due to the absence of any
73 floral resemblance among them. We support that host-parasite resemblance may be
74 coincidental and thus the so called mimicry if apparent could be attributed to the influence by
75 a firm epigenetic hormonal control from the concurrent host plant (Atsatt 1979; Mudgal and
76 Mudgal 2011). Variations in shape of leaves of D. falcata from the same host indicate that the
77 epigenetic control may be insufficient for an explanation to mimicry. In addition, influence
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78 from other factors such as ageing in the host, the parasite and/or environmental constraints
79 should be considered. Increase in size and/or infective spread of mistletoe upon ageing would
80 require corresponding increment in sustainable photosynthetic apparatus. In order to seek
81 this, enhanced water and nutrient uptake would be facilitated by an increment in the
82 transpiration-efficient leaf surface area.
83 The new host Thespesia populnea evidenced here is valuable as of the most important forest
84 trees to Pacific Islands. For craftsmen, its dark wood proves as a source to make beautiful
85 bowls, tools, small canoes, and figures. Ropes can be twisted from the bark. It also provides
86 protection against wind, salt sprays, and hot sun (Friday and Okano 2006). Mother Nature has
87 attributed T. populnea with valuable medicinal properties such as antifertility, antibacterial,
88 anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, purgative and hepatoprotective activity (Vasudevan et al.
89 2007). Besides these, T. populnea bark extracts experimented on exteroceptive and
90 interoceptive behavioural models has indicated remarkable memory-enhancing activity and
91 has been suggested for use on Alzheimer patients (Vasudevan and Parle 2006; Vasudevan
92 and Parle 2007). The oil from its seeds constitutes 20% of semi-drying dark red coloured oil
93 and bears potentials for its use in industrial oils (Subbaram 1954). Many pharmacological
94 implications from T. populnea also match with those evidenced for D. falcata as shown in the
95 Table 2. Besdies, this mistletoe is known to offer comparatively different medicinal on
96 different hosts and ethno-medicinal assets (Mallavadhani et al. 2006). On T. populnea, the
97 newly found host, it is for sure that D. falcata would provide novel bioactive compounds with
98 value added pharmaceutical implications.
99 T. populnea is susceptible to several diseases viz. fungal leaf spot caused by Lophodermium
100 sp., fungal root and stem rot caused by Phellinus noxius, fungal heart rot caused Fomes
101 pachyphloeus; pests of cotton, viz. cotton stainer bug (Dysdercus sp.), the cotton boll weevil
102 (Anthonomus grandis), Pyroderces simplex, Indian dusky cotton bug (Oxycarenus laetus) etc.
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103 (Friday and Okano 2006). To add, overharvesting, increased urbanization and mass
104 eradication and including possibly as of now the reported incidence of parasitism by D.
105 falcata that prevalence of T. populnea has become nearing vulnerability.
106 In light of the above, the present article appeals both for pharmacological investigations on D.
107 falcata occurring on T. populnea, and also for strict conservation of the host. Albeit,
108 mistletoes are considered an important component of biodiversity (Watson 2001), and praised
109 due to their miraculous ethno-medicinal assets, but being backed by easy seed dispersal by
110 frugivorous birds, widespread and ever increasing host range particularly of D. falcata
111 continues to pose serious losses to economically valuable fruit trees, flowering plants and
112 those with medicinal properties whether growing in forests, orchards or gardens in India
113 (Sridhar and Rao 1978). Such an increment in the host range should also alarm
114 phytopathologists to devise effective control and management strategies particularly for this
115 hemiparasite (Mudgal et al. 2011). It is upsetting to note that amidst D. falcata and other
116 mistletoes pose heavy losses to forest trees, commercial fruit crops and ornamental plants, no
117 sincere efforts have been initiated and the possible biotechnological solutions are either
118 limited or have not yet seen the light of the day.
119
120 Acknowledgement
121 The author is thankful to the Department of Biotechnology, UIBT, Chandigarh University for
122 critical review of the manuscript. The views presented here do not reflect in part and/or as a
123 whole an outcome of any mandated research activity(s) of the institution(s) to which the
124 author is and/or had been affiliated to but in actual are products of author’s independent
125 observations.
126
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127 References
128 Anarthe SJ, Bhalke, R. D., Jadhav, R. B., & Surana, S. J. (2008) Antidiabetic activity of
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132 Atsatt PR (1979) On the evolution of leaf resemblance between mistletoes and their hosts. In:
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135 Belhekar SN, Chaudhari PD, Saryawanshi JS, Mali KK, Pandhare RB (2013) Antidiabetic
136 and antihyperlipidemic effects of Thespesia populnea fruit pulp extracts on alloxan-induced
137 diabetic rats Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 75:217-221 doi:10.4103/0250-
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139 Boonsri S, Karalai C, Ponglimanont C, Chantrapromma S, Kanjana-opas A (2008) Cytotoxic
140 and Antibacterial Sesquiterpenes from Thespesia populnea Journal of Natural Products
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142 Calvin CL, Wilson CA (1998) The haustorial system in African Loranthaceae. In: Polhill R
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144 Friday JB, Okano D (2006) Thespesia populnea (Milo), Traditional Tree Initiative— Species
145 Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry. http://agroforestry.org/images/pdfs/Thespesia-
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147 Hasan MS, Ahmed MI, Mondal S, Uddin SJ, Masud MM, Sadhu SK, Ishibashi M (2006)
148 Antioxidant, antinociceptive activity and general toxicity study of Dendrophthoe falcata and
149 isolation of quercitrin as the major component Opem 6:355-360
150 Ilavarasan R, Vasudevan M, Anbazhagan S, Venkataraman S (2003) Antioxidant activity of
151 Thespesia populnea bark extracts against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats
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153 Kawale P (2016) Honey Suckle Mistletoe. http://www.flowersofindia.net.
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158 Mallavadhani UV, Narasimhan K, Sudhakar AVS, Mahapatra A, Li W, Breemen RBv (2006)
159 Three new pentacyclic triterpenes and some flavonoids from the fruits of an Indian
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165 Mudgal G, Mudgal B (2011) Evidence for unusual choice of host and haustoria by
166 Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f) Ettingsh, a leafy mistletoe Archives of Phytopathology and Plant
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180 Dendrophthoe falcata (Lf) Ettingsh against carbon tetrachloride–induced toxicity in wistar
181 albino rats Phcog Mag 4:218-222
182 Pattanayak S, Sunita P (2008) Wound healing, anti-microbial and antioxidant potential of
183 Dendrophthoe falcata (Lf) Ettingsh Journal of Ethnopharmacology 120:241-247
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185 Shaw III CG, & Phanichapol, D. (1993) First report of Dendrophthoe falcata on Pinus kesiya
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196 Thespesia populnea bark extract Journal of Ethnopharmacology 109:264-270
197 doi:10.1016/j.jep.2006.07.025
198 Vasudevan M, Parle M (2006) Pharmacological actions of Thespesia populnea relevant to
199 Alzheimer's disease Phytomedicine 13:677-687 doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2006.01.007
200 Vasudevan M, Parle M (2007) Memory-Enhancing Activity of Thespesia populnea in Rats
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202 Watson DM (2001) Mistletoe-a keystone resource in forests and woodlands worldwide
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204 Wilson CA, Calvin CL (2006) An origin of aerial branch parasitism in the mistletoe family,
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207 FIGURE 1
a b
c d 208
209
210 Fig. 1 a D. falcata (=DF) infecting T. populnea branch (TPB) b Close view of haustorium at
211 the host parasite interface (HPI) emphasized with brace c Close view of a D. falcata flower
212 with scale d Epicortical root (ERs) of haustoria extending along the T. populnea branch with
213 intermittent attachment points (AP). DFL= D. falcata leaves; TPF= T. populnea fruits;
214 TPL=T. populnea leaves. Arrows have been used to distinguish structures.
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Parts identified Features Visual agreement Leaves alternate or sub-opposite pinnately veined Inflorescence axillary sometimes at leafless node racemes or spikes Bract One subtending each flower shorter than calyx Flowers bisexual 5-merous actinomorphic or zygomorphic Calyx ovoid or urceolate Flower bud tubular Corolla White colored sympetalous tube inflated tip clavate lobes reflexed or twisted with age Stamens inserted at base of corolla lobes filaments short, flattened Anthers 4-loculed Pollen grain trilobate in polar view Ovary 1-loculed placentation basal Style filiform , 5- angled Stigma capitate Berry ovoid
Table 1.List of the floral features used while identification of the mistletoe as provided in the compendium, Flowers of India (Kawale 2016).
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Matching medicinal Referenced Evidences for Referenced Evidences for properties D. falcata T. populnea
Antifertility (Mitra and Mukherjee (2009); Vasudevan and Parle (2006)
Pattanayak and Mazumder (2009))
Antimicrobial Pattanayak and Sunita (2008) Boonsri et al. (2008)
Anti-inflammatory and Hasan et al. (2006) Vasudevan et al. (2007)
Antinociceptive
Antioxidant Pattanayak and Sunita (2008) Ilavarasan et al. (2003)
Hepatoprotective Pattanayak and Priyashree (2008) Shirwaikar et al. (1995)
Wound-healing (Manandhar (2002); Pattanayak and Nagappa and Cheriyan (2001)
Sunita (2008))
Antidiabetic Anarthe (2008) Belhekar et al. (2013)
Table 2. A tabulated match of ethno-medicinal properties of both the host and the parasite and the correspondingly cited references.
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