<i>Xanthomonas</i> spp. Infecting Araceae and Araliaceae: Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Potential Virulence Mechanisms
The genus <i>Xanthomonas</i> (family Xanthomonadaceae) comprises 39 validly published species and is associated with a broad host range, infecting hundreds of monocot and dicot plants worldwide. While many <i>Xanthomonas</i> species are notorious for causing leaf spot and bli...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Shu-Cheng Chuang Shefali Dobhal Lisa M. Keith Anne M. Alvarez Mohammad Arif |
| author_facet | Shu-Cheng Chuang Shefali Dobhal Lisa M. Keith Anne M. Alvarez Mohammad Arif |
| author_sort | Shu-Cheng Chuang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The genus <i>Xanthomonas</i> (family Xanthomonadaceae) comprises 39 validly published species and is associated with a broad host range, infecting hundreds of monocot and dicot plants worldwide. While many <i>Xanthomonas</i> species are notorious for causing leaf spot and blight diseases in major agricultural crops, less attention has been given to their impact on ornamental plants. In Hawaii and other key production regions, xanthomonads have posed persistent threats to popular ornamentals in the Araceae and Araliaceae families. This review synthesizes the evolving phylogenetic and taxonomic framework of Xanthomonas strains isolated from Araceae and Araliaceae, highlighting recent advances enabled by multilocus sequence analysis and whole genome sequencing. We discuss the reclassification of key pathovars, unresolved phylogenetic placements, and the challenges of pathovar delineation within these plant families. Additionally, we examine current knowledge of molecular determinants of pathogenicity, including gene clusters involved in exopolysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, flagellar assembly, cell-wall-degrading enzymes, and secretion systems (types II, III, and VI). Comparative genomics and functional studies reveal that significant gaps remain in our understanding of the genetic basis of host adaptation and virulence in these xanthomonads. Addressing these knowledge gaps will be crucial for developing effective diagnostics and management strategies for bacterial diseases in ornamental crops. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b2e2220713454a3a9fc416c00ce77ff9 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-b2e2220713454a3a9fc416c00ce77ff92025-08-20T03:13:41ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-06-0114776610.3390/biology14070766<i>Xanthomonas</i> spp. Infecting Araceae and Araliaceae: Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Potential Virulence MechanismsShu-Cheng Chuang0Shefali Dobhal1Lisa M. Keith2Anne M. Alvarez3Mohammad Arif4Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USADepartment of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USATropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Hilo, HI 96720, USADepartment of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USADepartment of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USAThe genus <i>Xanthomonas</i> (family Xanthomonadaceae) comprises 39 validly published species and is associated with a broad host range, infecting hundreds of monocot and dicot plants worldwide. While many <i>Xanthomonas</i> species are notorious for causing leaf spot and blight diseases in major agricultural crops, less attention has been given to their impact on ornamental plants. In Hawaii and other key production regions, xanthomonads have posed persistent threats to popular ornamentals in the Araceae and Araliaceae families. This review synthesizes the evolving phylogenetic and taxonomic framework of Xanthomonas strains isolated from Araceae and Araliaceae, highlighting recent advances enabled by multilocus sequence analysis and whole genome sequencing. We discuss the reclassification of key pathovars, unresolved phylogenetic placements, and the challenges of pathovar delineation within these plant families. Additionally, we examine current knowledge of molecular determinants of pathogenicity, including gene clusters involved in exopolysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, flagellar assembly, cell-wall-degrading enzymes, and secretion systems (types II, III, and VI). Comparative genomics and functional studies reveal that significant gaps remain in our understanding of the genetic basis of host adaptation and virulence in these xanthomonads. Addressing these knowledge gaps will be crucial for developing effective diagnostics and management strategies for bacterial diseases in ornamental crops.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/766xanthomonads<i>Xanthomonas euvesicatoria</i>panaxanthuriumtaxonomyAraceae |
| spellingShingle | Shu-Cheng Chuang Shefali Dobhal Lisa M. Keith Anne M. Alvarez Mohammad Arif <i>Xanthomonas</i> spp. Infecting Araceae and Araliaceae: Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Potential Virulence Mechanisms Biology xanthomonads <i>Xanthomonas euvesicatoria</i> panax anthurium taxonomy Araceae |
| title | <i>Xanthomonas</i> spp. Infecting Araceae and Araliaceae: Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Potential Virulence Mechanisms |
| title_full | <i>Xanthomonas</i> spp. Infecting Araceae and Araliaceae: Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Potential Virulence Mechanisms |
| title_fullStr | <i>Xanthomonas</i> spp. Infecting Araceae and Araliaceae: Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Potential Virulence Mechanisms |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Xanthomonas</i> spp. Infecting Araceae and Araliaceae: Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Potential Virulence Mechanisms |
| title_short | <i>Xanthomonas</i> spp. Infecting Araceae and Araliaceae: Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Potential Virulence Mechanisms |
| title_sort | i xanthomonas i spp infecting araceae and araliaceae taxonomy phylogeny and potential virulence mechanisms |
| topic | xanthomonads <i>Xanthomonas euvesicatoria</i> panax anthurium taxonomy Araceae |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/766 |
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