Search

The article offers information on the first mainland specimen of the Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) in Australia, captured in 2017 at One Arm Point on the Dampier Peninsula, Australia. Topics discussed include the bird's identification and capture process; its potential biosecurity risks leading to its eventual euthanization and preservation; and the broader conservation status and habitat preferences of the Nicobar Pigeon across its range.

Group testing is an important element of biosecurity operations, designed to efficiently reduce the risk of introducing exotic pests and pathogens with imported agricultural products. Groups of units, such as seeds, are selected from a consignment and tested for contamination, with a positive or negative test returned for each group. These schemes are usually designed such that the probability of detecting contamination is high assuming random mixing and a somewhat arbitrary design prevalence. We propose supplementing this approach with an assessment of the distribution of the number of contaminated units conditional on testing results. We develop beta-binomial models that allow for between-consignment variability in contamination levels, as well as including beta random effects to allow for possible clustering within the groups for testing. The latent beta distributions can be considered as priors and chosen based on expert judgement, or estimated from historical test results. We show that the parameter representing within-group clustering is, unsurprisingly, effectively non-identifiable. Sensitivity analysis can be conducted by investigating the consequences of assuming different values of this parameter. We also demonstrate theoretically and empirically that the estimated probability of a consignment containing contamination and evading detection is almost perfectly robust to mis-specification of the clustering parameter. We apply the new models to large cucurbit seed lots imported into Australia where they provide important new insights on the level of undetected contamination. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear on-line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The perceptions and practices of sheep farmers with regards to their knowledge of sheep health management on their farms can have a significant impact on the overall health, welfare, and production of their animals and on the economics of their farming enterprise. District veterinary services play an important role in providing technical services and support to the farmers. Survey studies were conducted to understand and compare the practices and perceptions of sheep famers and district veterinarians (DVs) in NSW, Australia, to sheep health and its management. The findings illustrated differences between the farmer and DV perception of sheep health and diseases of greatest concern and provided valuable insights into their different observations and practices. For example, sheep producers were most concerned with parasites whereas for DVs sheep husbandry advice was most concerning. However, both groups ranked nutrition advice as the second most concerning area related to sheep health. Of particular interest were the differences in the communication methods that they prefer which, if more closely aligned, may enable more effective communication. The findings of these studies provide some guidance and recommendations for improving the management of the health, welfare, and overall economic value of sheep farming in NSW. The study objectives were to understand the practices and perceptions of sheep farmers and district veterinarians (DVs) towards sheep health management and, the impact of disease at the farm level in addition to the availability, accessibility, and use of veterinary services. Data were collected using question-based surveys, distributed online and in-person to sheep farmers (45 respondents) and DVs (25 respondents). Most farmers were male, ≥51 years old, who placed a high priority on the health and welfare of their sheep. For disease prevention most farmers vaccinated their sheep (91%) and 86.7% had a farm biosecurity plan, although its components and their application varied, e.g., the isolation of new or sick sheep. Fencing costs were most frequently identified (70.5% respondents) as a financial concern for sheep farmers. Their most common sources of information about disease control and prevention were DVs (66.7%), private veterinarians (60.0%), the internet (42.9%), rural suppliers (35.7%), and farmers/neighbours (28.6%). Fifty-eight percent of farmers reported a long distance from veterinarian services. Farmers preferred to receive information via email (77.8%), whereas 56% of DVs preferred to share information via phone call. This discrepancy presents an opportunity to align these mechanisms more closely for effective dissemination of information and increased producer engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is widely used for detecting target species, including monitoring endangered species and detecting the presence of invasive species. Detecting targeted species using the eDNA approach is typically carried out with species-specific qPCR assays. Amazon frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) is classified as a State-Prohibited Matter Weed in NSW, Australia. It is a fast-growing perennial aquatic weed that outcompetes native aquatic plants, leading to a reduction in the habitats of aquatic animals. Early detection is crucial for the effective management of this species. In this study, we developed a qPCR assay for L. laevigatum based on the rpoB gene sequence. This assay was validated against 25 non-target aquatic and terrestrial species. It was found to be species-specific, with the positive signal exclusively detected in L. laevigatum. The assay was highly sensitive with the modelled detection limits of 3.66 copies of DNA/µL. Furthermore, our assay was validated using environmental samples collected from field sites with and without the presence of L. laevigatum. Our assay is an effective tool for targeted eDNA detection of L. laevigatum, which will enhance efforts to monitor and control this invasive aquatic weed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terminology for the invasion status of alien species has typically relied either on ecological- or policy- based criteria, with the former emphasising species' ability to overcome ecological barriers and the latter on species' impacts. There remains no universal consensus about definitions of invasion. Without an agreement on definitions, it is difficult to combine data that comes from a range of sources. In Australia, information on plant invasions is provided by a collection of independent jurisdictions. This has led to inconsistencies in terminology used to describe species invasion status at the national level, impeding efficient management. In this paper, we review and discuss the steps taken to harmonise the different terminologies used across Australia's states and territories. We identified mismatches in definitions and records of invasion status for vascular plant taxa across different jurisdictions and propose prioritisation procedures to tackle these mismatches and to integrate information into a harmonised workflow at the national scale. This integration has made possible the creation of a standardised dataset at the Australian national scale (the Alien Flora of Australia). In Australia, having an integrated workflow for referring to and monitoring alien flora will aid early warning and prevent species introduction, facilitate decision-making and aid biosecurity measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: In Australia, the health of our marine, estuarine and freshwater fishes are of critical importance. The aquatic and marine ecosystems, and the fishes that occupy them each have an important role in our country's ecological, economic, cultural and social wealth. Climate change, resource over-exploitation, invasive animals and diseases, and habitat degradation are just a few of the burgeoning threats that researchers and managers must address to ensure the prosperity of Australia's natural fisheries resources. In addition, differences in legislative frameworks among jurisdictions hinder our ability to coherently manage fish resources at scales that are relevant biologically, ecologically and socially. Aims: Here, we identify the key research priorities for fish and fisheries research in Australia, across seven thematic fields of study. Methods: Research priorities were evaluated using a horizon scanning approach which identified research questions related to the field of fish and fisheries research in Australia. Key results: A total of 284 unique research questions were categorised and prioritised, resulting in the formation of the top 10 highest priority research questions across each of the seven themes. Conclusions: The outcomes from this work can be used to directly complement ongoing work from research providers working in the field of fish and fisheries as well as the development of new areas of research. Implications: The priorities identified will enable researchers and policy makers to identify critical knowledge gaps, develop collaborative research programs, investigate novel approaches, and to improve transparency around decision-making processes. The health of Australia's fish and fisheries are of critical ecological, economic, cultural and social importance. The horizon scan approach identified key questions across seven themes related to fish and fisheries within Australia which allow researchers to target their skills and further investment towards addressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic composition of founding populations is likely to play a key role in determining invasion success. Individual genotypes may differ in habitat preference and environmental tolerance, so their ability to colonize novel environments can be highly variable. Despite the importance of genetic variation on invasion success, its influence on the potential distribution of invaders is rarely investigated. Here, we integrate population genomics and ecological niche models (ENMs) into a single framework to predict the distribution of globally invasive common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) in Australia. We identified three genetic clusters for ragweed and used these to construct cluster‐specific ENMs and characterize within‐species niche differentiation. The potential range of ragweed in Australia depended on the genetic composition and continent of origin of the introduced population. Invaders originating from warmer, wetter climates had a broader potential distribution than those from cooler, drier ones. By quantifying this change, we identified source populations most likely to expand the ragweed distribution. As prevention remains the most effective method of invasive species management, our work provides a valuable way of ranking the threat posed by different populations to better inform management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species cause severe threats to biodiversity and the economy, but often across multi‐actor landscapes. Therefore, collaboration among multiple actors across landscapes is often essential for managing invasive species. Deciding whether to collaborate depends on available resources and potential benefits. As such, it is vital to identify how different factors can influence the outcomes of collaborations.We developed and tested a conceptual model that integrates potential process factors and performance measures for outcomes of collaborative invasive species management. We surveyed professionals engaged in invasive species management in Queensland, Australia. We first assessed their perception of the presence of process factors and perception of the performance measures of collaborative invasive species management projects using descriptive methods. Then we tested the associations between process factors and performance measures using structural equation modelling.While confirming that a good collaboration of stakeholders (e.g. communication and trust) is essential to enhance performances, our results suggest that the way collaborative projects are structured (e.g. ability to participate in decision‐making, having shared goals) also significantly influences the performance of the projects, especially in achieving goals. Furthermore, results suggest that achieving long‐term collaborations and outcomes is directly influenced by the extent to which stakeholders support or oppose the collaboration. As such, our study contributes to a significant research gap by establishing a connection between the collaboration process and its outcomes.We conclude that decision‐makers should give equal importance to both designing favourable collaborative project structures and fostering collaborations with stakeholders through different means to enhance the benefits of collaboration in invasive species management. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the International Plant Sentinel Network program monitoring high priority plant species from the United Kingdom, soil samples were collected from an asymptomatic Quercus robur (English Oak) at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah (NSW). The soil samples were baited for Phytophthora with detection based on a Phytophthora genus specific Taqman™ assay. Species were identified using Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial DNA subunit cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1, 5.8S, ITS2 and partial 28S regions (ITS). Isolates of Phytophthora that were recovered were identical to the Phytophthora plurivora ex-type strain based on phylogenetic inference. This is the first identification of Phytophthora plurivora in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Australian horticulture is at risk from incursions by exotic tephritid fruit fly species, particularly oriental fruit fly. An incursion by exotic fruit flies is likely to result in global trade restrictions and will cause significant economic losses. In this study, we investigated global management strategies for exotic fruit fly species and compared them with available local strategies in Australia to identify areas where Australian management practices could be improved. We identified that although Australia has a good understanding of the main exotic fruit fly threats, there remains no species-specific emergency response plan available to implement in the case of an incursion. Australia has effective tools for exotic fruit fly detection, an early warning surveillance network is in place across Australia and control measures used successfully for eradication elsewhere are available in Australia. However, the speed at which Australia could respond to an incursion is currently limited by the lack of a response plan, and this could have major implications for the effectiveness of management strategies for containment and eradication, likely leading to a more severe and costly incursion outcome. Exotic tephritid incursions are of high concern to Australia's biosecurity and its horticultural industries. It is vital that Australia remains ready to respond to incursions as they arise, as an incursion of tephritid fruit fly species will result in significant economic losses. In this review, we compared Australian incursion management strategies for fruit flies with global management strategies and identified possible areas where improvements could be made in an Australian context. Overall, Australia has a good understanding of the main tephritid threats, of which Bactrocera species from across the Torres Strait (northern Australia) are of most concern. Effective tools for tephritid detection and early warning surveillance at points of entry are in place at ports and in horticultural areas Australia-wide and provide the basis for initiating biosecurity responses in the event of an incursion. Area-wide control measures used in successful eradication attempts globally are available for use in Australia. However, a specific tephritid emergency response plan identifying suitable response measures and control options for species of concern is not yet available. We have identified that Australia has the policies and management tools available to respond to an exotic tephritid incursion, but the speed at which this could be accomplished would be greatly improved by the development of species-specific emergency response plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gain of Function refers to genetic modification to enhance certain properties of a biological agent. "Dual use research" refers to experiments which have a primary goal of benefitting humanity, but which could produce harm if misapplied. So, for example, a virus which was being genetically modified (GM) for altruistic reasons might become more transmissible or resistant to vaccines or antimicrobial medications. Such a GM virus has bioterrorism potential. The UN Biological Weapons Convention has not been universally approved and 10 States are not signatories to the Convention. The control of such experiments is variously controlled in certain jurisdictions but in Australia these experiments are well regulated through the Gene Technology Act 2000 (Cth), the National Health Security Act 2007 (Cth) and the Crimes (Biological Weapons) Act 1976 (Cth). The controls on such experiments in Europe and the United States are less precise. There are examples in the United States and Europe where the security provisions to contain microorganisms undergoing research including genetic modification have been breached. This threatens the health and safety of laboratory workers and the wider community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Queensland Museum Insect collection (QM) and the Queensland Primary Industries Insect Collection (QDPC) have undergone significant changes over the last 50 years with major amalgamations forming two of Australia's most important and largest insect collections. In this paper we outline the history of the two collections, the staff who manage them and the specimens they hold. We discuss the differences and similarities between the collections, how they are accessed, used and managed. We also discuss what has changed in the management of those collections and how this will impact our future. This paper is a snapshot of the current state of the QM and QDPC, whilst reflecting on some of what has changed over the last five decades as we look towards the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trade and keeping of exotic pets has serious implications for both biosecurity and biodiversity conservation. In Australia, the online trade of live invertebrates is an understudied and unregulated issue, with almost non‐existent monitoring. It is uncertain what species are being traded, whether they are being identified correctly, and how they are being sourced (i.e., captive bred or wild harvested, native, or alien). Consequently, potential invasion risks and conservation concerns remain unknown. Here, we explored the online trade of terrestrial invertebrates in Australia across a range of publicly available e‐commerce platforms. We detected 264 species of invertebrate traded, from 71 families and 168 genera over 12 months. The native Extatosoma tiaratum (giant prickly stick insect) was the most traded species, while the most popular families were Phasmatidae (stick insects), Formicidae (ants) and Theraphosidae (tarantulas). Three species are known to be invasive in Australia, while 87% of species traded were native. The conservation status of almost of the species (92%) listed in the invertebrate trade has not been evaluated. Exploring socio‐demographic relationships, we found that human population density was positively correlated with the location of invertebrate sellers. Further, we found the classifieds website had lower prices in contrast to traditional online pet‐stores (median of c. A$7 less). Finally, we did not observe a saturation in the number of species traded in our one‐year study, exemplifying the need for large scale monitoring and risk assessments for Australia's online terrestrial invertebrate trade. We recommend continued surveillance of live invertebrate trade on e‐commerce sites. Substantial changes to legislation and monitoring methods are required at a national level to control the vast number of invertebrates traded across the country, and to minimise the future risks of the invertebrate trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive plants seriously impact our environmental, agricultural and forestry assets, and the ornamental plant trade is a major introduction pathway. The variety and extent of the ornamental plant trade is growing in reach and is increasingly facilitated by the internet (i.e., through e-commerce). A lack of surveillance and regulation of e-commerce has resulted in invasive species being widely traded on these platforms. Here, we investigated the extent of illegal trade in invasive plant species in Australia by collecting advertisements found on a popular public e-commerce website. Across a 12-month period we collected a total of 235,162 plant advertisements. From 10,000 of these advertisements (4.25% of total advertisements) we found 155 plant taxa advertised online that were prohibited to trade in at least one Australian State or Territory (12.5% of Australia's total prohibited plant taxa). We detected 1,415 instances of invasive plants advertised, of which 411 breached local jurisdictional (i.e., State or Territory) laws. Opuntia cacti and invasive aquatic plants were traded in the greatest quantities. A variety of uses for plants prohibited to trade were reported by the sellers, with aquatic uses being the most popular (i.e., water filtering and habitat for aquatic animals). We used generalised linear mixed-effects models to test the effect of prohibiting the sale of invasive plants on the quantity and price of online advertisements. Despite Australia's strict internal biosecurity regulations, we found that trade prohibitions had no influence on the quantity and price of trade in illegal invasive plants. Given this, and the extent of illegal invasive plants traded, we believe increased monitoring and regulation of online plant trade is warranted. We demonstrate that targeted searches using string matching is an effective tool for detecting e-commerce trade of invasive species. However, to obtain the most optimal outcomes, regulations should be coupled with increased cooperation from e-commerce platforms and public awareness campaigns. Future weed risk assessments should consider online trade as a key factor in the long-distance dispersal and propagule pressure of a plant. Jurisdictions would also benefit from greater alignment on plant trade prohibitions and revision of associated compliance policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmission of Chlamydia pecorum between koalas is a potential risk in field capture or rehabilitation settings, where koalas are held in proximity to each other, or equipment is shared between animals. Given the impact of C. pecorum on koala welfare and population viability it is surprising that quarantine and disinfection protocols in a koala rehabilitation facility or capture settings have not previously been evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate an approach, based on the detection of chlamydial DNA and cell viability, to determine the degree of environmental contamination within a koala care facility. Various fomite sites associated with koala care at a koala rehabilitation facility in New South Wales, Australia were identified as potential sources of chlamydial contamination, following exposure to koalas known to be infected with C. pecorum. Fomite sites were swabbed following exposure, and again after decontamination procedures were carried out. Samples were tested for the presence of chlamydial DNA using qPCR and viability using both RT-qPCR and cell culture. From a total of 239 sampling events, 30 tested qPCR positive for chlamydial DNA, with 19 and 11 samples corresponding to pre-decontamination and post-decontamination events respectively. Detection of chlamydial DNA appeared to be most common in the examination room, especially on fomite sites in direct contact with koalas. Physical removal of chlamydial DNA, or its degradation by the elements, appeared to be more common on outdoor enclosures, clothing, and hands. Based on the cell culture assay, of the pre-decontamination samples with chlamydial DNA, eight had viable chlamydial cells, two of these at low levels. Of the post-decontamination samples with chlamydial DNA, one had a moderate number, and one had a very low number of viable chlamydial cells. RT-qPCR was unsuccessful in determining cell viability due to low yields of RNA and high levels of contaminants from the environmental samples. The outcomes of this study provide a knowledge base for the design of future biosecurity evaluation guidelines in captive and koala rehabilitation facilities. The higher incidence of chlamydial DNA detection by qPCR than viable organism highlights the need to use viability assays in similar studies. However, further investment is still needed to optimise these methods and improve sensitivity for complex environmental samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Directly or indirectly, humans select the plants that they transport and introduce outside of species native ranges. Plants that have become invasive may therefore reflect which species had the chance to invade, rather than which species would become invasive given the chance. We examine characteristics of failed introductions, along with invasion successes, by investigating (a) variation in plant characteristics across invasion stages, and (b) how observed characteristics predict the likelihood of species moving through invasion stages. Location: Australia. Time period: 1770s to present. Major taxa studied: 34,650 plant species, across 424 families. Methods: We used a comprehensive list of 34,650 plant species that are known to have been introduced to Australia, 4,081 of which are classified as naturalized and 428 as invasive. We represent plant characteristics with categorical growth forms, three functional traits (plant height, seed mass, and specific leaf area) and three factors related to species introduction histories (native regions, purpose, and minimum residence times). Results: (a) The types of species introduced determine the types of species that naturalize and become invasive; (b) species introduction histories predict the likelihood of species moving through invasion stages; and (c) the numbers of species naturalizing (~15%) and becoming invasive (~15%) slightly exceeds expectation from the "tens rule", which expects that 10% of introduced species naturalize and 10% become invasive. Main conclusions: Our findings are significant for global biosecurity, indicating that functional traits alone cannot be used to predict a species' risk of becoming invasive. Rather, evidence suggests that characteristics of species introductions—specifically, a longer time‐lag since first introduction and more pathways of introduction—define the relative risks of species moving through invasion stages. This is important for assessing future invasion risks, as future introductions may differ from those of the past. Our work highlights the need to reduce the number of species introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In July 2021, based on a series of photographs posted in the citizen science platform iNaturalist, the Chief Plant Health Officer Unit of Victoria was alerted to a sighting of a suspect exotic chrysomelid from the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG), East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Specimens were collected and forwarded to the Crop Health Services diagnostic laboratory (Agriculture Victoria) for identification. These were identified as Megabruchidius tonkineus (Pic, 1904) (Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) based on literature, reference specimens and via COI barcoding. This report presents the first record of M. tonkineus, which also represents the first record for the exotic genus Megabruchidius Borowiec, 1984 for Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed lots of tomato and capsicum (Solanum lycopersicon and Capsicum annuum, respectively) are required to be free of quarantine pests before their entry to Australia is permitted. Testing of samples from 118 larger seed lots in the period 2019–2021 revealed that 31 (26.3%) carried one or more of four Tobamovirus species, including tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV), which is a quarantine pest for Australia. Testing of samples from a further 659 smaller seed lots showed that 123 (18.7%) carried a total of five Tobamovirus species, including ToMMV and tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), which is also a quarantine pest for Australia. Estimated prevalence of contamination by tobamoviruses ranged from 0.388% to 0.004% in contaminated larger seed lots. Analyses of these data allow us to estimate probabilities of detection of contamination under different regulatory settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avocado is one of the world's fastest growing tropical fruit industries, and the pathogen avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd) is a major threat to both production and access to international export markets. ASBVd is seed transmissible, with infection possible via either the male (pollen) or female gametes. Surveillance for ASBVd across commercial orchards is a major logistical task, particularly when aiming to meet the stringent standards of evidence required for a declaration of pest freedom. As with many fruit crops, insect pollination is important for high avocado yields, and honey bee (Apis mellifera) hives are typically moved into orchards for paid pollination services. Exploiting the foraging behavior of honey bees can provide a complementary strategy to traditional surveillance methods. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) of bee samples for plant viruses shows promise, but this surveillance method has not yet been tested for viroids or in a targeted plant biosecurity context. Here, we tested samples of bees and pollen collected from pollination hives in two ASBVd orchard locations, one in Australia, where only four trees in a block were known to be infected, and a second in South Africa, where the estimated incidence of infection was 10%. Using real-time RT-PCR and HTS (total RNA-seq and small RNA-seq), we demonstrated that ASBVd can be confidently detected in bees and pollen samples from hives within 100 m of infected trees. The potential for using this approach in ASBVd surveillance for improved orchard management and supporting market access is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial from the journal "Viruses" discussing tobamoviruses, which are plant-infecting viruses with an ancient lineage dating back to the Cretaceous period. Tobamoviruses are known for their resilience and ability to remain viable for long periods of time. Some tobamoviruses pose a threat to crops, and efforts are being made to understand their transmission and develop biosecurity measures. The editorial highlights several research papers on topics such as the host range of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus, the transmission of tomato brown rugose fruit virus, and the effectiveness of biosecurity measures in Australia. Additionally, the editorial mentions a study on using tobamovirus particles for biomedical applications. The author concludes by acknowledging that more tobamoviruses will likely be discovered in the future, presenting both challenges and opportunities for scientists. [Extracted from the article]

Three species of polyphagous Liriomyza leafminers (Diptera: Agromyzidae), Liriomyza huidobrensis, L. sativae, and L. trifolii, are internationally significant pests of vegetable and nursery crops that have each been recently detected on the Australian mainland. Due to the early stages of these invasions in Australia, it is unclear how climatic conditions are likely to support and potentially restrict the distribution of these species as they expand into novel ranges and threaten agricultural production regions. Additionally, it is unclear how natural enemies, particularly parasitoid wasps, will mitigate the impacts of these pests. Here, we predicted the future establishment potential of L. huidobrensis, L. sativae and L. trifolii in Australia, as well as two cosmopolitan parasitoid wasps known to provide control of the flies in both field and glasshouse settings, Diglyphus isaea (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Hemiptarsenus varicornis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Global distribution data spanning 42 countries were compiled and used to validate a process‐based model of establishment potential based on intrinsic population growth rates. The modelling approach successfully captured the international distribution of the three Liriomyza species based on environmental variables and predicted the high suitability of non‐occupied ranges in Australia. The largely unfilled climatic niche available to these pests demonstrates the early stages of their Australian invasions and highlights locations where vegetable production regions are at particular risk. In addition to Australia, our results highlight many regions globally where L. sativae, L. trifolii and L. huidobrensis have the potential to spread in the future. Within Australia, D. isaea and H. varicornis are predicted to have a large spatial and seasonal overlap with each Liriomyza species and thus are expected to influence the future spread of these pests and play an important role in local pest management programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High Plains wheat mosaic virus (HPWMoV) causes a serious disease in major wheat-growing regions worldwide. We report here the complete or partial genomic sequences of five HPWMoV isolates from Australian wheat samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the eight genomic segments of these five isolates together with others from Genbank found all eight genes formed two lineages, L1 and L2. L1 contained a single isolate from Colorado in the North American Great Plains Region (GPR), and L2 had two unresolved clusters, A and B, of isolates from Australia and the GPR. A quarter of the L2B isolate sequences of the nucleocapsid gene (RNA3) were recombinant, which is unexpected as little evidence of recombination exists in viruses with negative single-stranded RNA genomes. Phylogenies calculated from the amino acid sequences of HPWMoV's RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RNA1), glycoprotein (RNA2), and nucleocapsid protein (RNA3) showed they were closest to those of Palo Verde broom virus. However, its movement protein (RNA4) was closer to those of Ti ringspot-associated and common oak ringspot-associated viruses, indicating the RNA4 segments of their ancestors reassorted to produce the current emaraviruses. To avoid increased yield losses from co-infection, biosecurity measures are advised to avoid HPWMoV introduction to countries where wheat streak mosaic virus already occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birds may act as hosts for numerous pathogens, including members of the family Chlamydiaceae, beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), avipoxviruses, Columbid alphaherpesvirus 1 (CoAHV1) and Psittacid alphaherpesvirus 1 (PsAHV1), all of which are a significant biosecurity concern in Australia. While Chlamydiaceae and BFDV have previously been detected in Australian avian taxa, the prevalence and host range of avipoxviruses, CoAHV1 and PsAHV1 in Australian birds remain undetermined. To better understand the occurrence of these pathogens, we screened 486 wild birds (kingfisher, parrot, pigeon and raptor species) presented to two wildlife hospitals between May 2019 and December 2021. Utilising various qPCR assays, we detected PsAHV1 for the first time in wild Australian birds (37/486; 7.61%), in addition to BFDV (163/468; 33.54%), Chlamydiaceae (98/468; 20.16%), avipoxviruses (46/486; 9.47%) and CoAHV1 (43/486; 8.85%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that BFDV sequences detected from birds in this study cluster within two predominant superclades, infecting both psittacine and non-psittacine species. However, BFDV disease manifestation was only observed in psittacine species. All Avipoxvirus sequences clustered together and were identical to other global reference strains. Similarly, PsAHV1 sequences from this study were detected from a series of novel hosts (apart from psittacine species) and identical to sequences detected from Brazilian psittacine species, raising significant biosecurity concerns, particularly for endangered parrot recovery programs. Overall, these results highlight the high pathogen diversity in wild Australian birds, the ecology of these pathogens in potential natural reservoirs, and the spillover potential of these pathogens into novel host species in which these agents cause disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species spread in a new environment is often associated with founders' effect, and reduced effective population size and genetic diversity. However, reduced genetic diversity does not necessarily translate to low establishment and spread potential. Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink is a polyphagous pest that has invaded 4 continents in around 34 years. It was first detected in the Northern Territory, Australia in July 2023. Following this, we collected 45 specimens from 20 suburbs across 3 regions. Using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I and nuclear ribosomal RNA genes (18S and 28S), we examined molecular diagnostics robustness, genetic diversity, haplotype network, and demographics (Tajima D) of the recently detected Australian population. We compared our samples with publicly available sequences deposited on GenBank. All 3 genes were suitable for molecular diagnosis with a 100% identity score. For all 3 genes, we found low nucleotide diversity, haplotype diversity, and negative Tajima D in the newly detected P. marginatus population, suggesting a recent single founder event by a few individuals. Comparing our study's sequences with global sequences showed low haplotype diversity, nucleotide diversity, and Tajima's D, suggesting that despite low genetic diversity at the 3 genes, P. marginatus has successfully invaded South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Our study highlights the role of demographic and life history traits in the species' invasion success. We provide a baseline dataset from the first detection of P. marginatus in Australia. Further analysis of the spread can provide insights into invasive species' adaptation in a novel environment., (© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America.)

Biosecurity restrictions regulate the types of materials that international travellers can bring into certain countries. Australia is well known in international travel cultures for stringent customs regulations and checks on all incoming passengers. This blanket approach to biosecurity governance implies that all materials, even banal personal possessions or luggage, pose a potential threat to the nation's biosecurity. This article explores how individuals prepare for and experience declaring personal belongings while migrating to and entering Australia. Drawing from interviews with recently arrived migrants on temporary visas, analysis of the required customs declaration card and government information, I highlight the inconsistencies of how materials, and the people who carry them, come under close scrutiny at the border. The findings show that the stringent surveillance of biosecurity perpetuates perceived risks and threats, relying on stereotypes of certain migrant and traveller profiles in the way biosecurity is promoted, monitored and enforced. Biosecurity manifests social, spatial, and material concerns in how it is performed and regulated, thereby transforming passive materials in a person's luggage into active threats to national security, further complicating the rigid governance of international mobility and migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]