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Preserving the biologically coherent generic concept of Phytophthora, “plant destroyer”
Brasier, Clive M.; Grünwald, Niklaus J.; Bourret, Tyler B.; Govers, Francine; Scanu, Bruno; Cooke, David E.L.; Bose, Tanay; Hawksworth, David L.; Abad, Gloria; Albarracin, M. Victoria; Alsultan, Wael; Altamirano-Junqueira, Astrid E.; Arifin, Arild R.; Arnet, Matthew J.; Aumentado, Herbert Dustin R.; Bakonyi, József; Belisle, Wei H.; Benigno, Alessandra; Bienapfl, John C.; Bilodeau, Guillaume J.; Blair, Jaime E.; Botella, Leticia; Brandano, Andrea; Cacciola, Santa Olga; Carbone, Ignazio; Castroagudin, Vanina L.; Chaendaekattu, Narayanan; Consford, Jonathan D.; Corcobado, Tamara; Covey, Paul A.; Daniels, Hazel A.; Deidda, Antonio; Dorrance, Anne E.; Dort, Erika N.; Drenth, André; Drizou, Fryni; Evangelisti, Edouard; Fajardo, Sebastian N.; Fang, Yufeng; Ference, Christopher M.; Frankel, Susan J.; Goss, Erica M.; Guest, David I.; Hardy, Giles E.S.J.; Harris, Anna R.H.; Hawku, Mehari Desta; Heungens, Kurt; Hong, Chuanxue; Horner, Ian J.; Jung, Marília Horta; Iyanda, Olumayowa J.; Jamieson, Brittney-Aidan; Jeffers, Steven N.; Judelson, Howard S.; Junaid, Muhammad; Kalogeropoulou, Eleni; Kamoun, Sophien; Kang, Seogchan; Kasuga, Takao; Kudlácek, Tomáš; LeBoldus, Jared; Lee, Christopher A.; Li, DeWei; Llanos, Alejandro K.; Lopez-Nicora, Horacio D.; Machado, Helena; Di San Lio, Gaetano Magnano; Maia, Cristiana; Mandal, Kajal; Manosalva, Patricia; Martin, Frank N.; Matson, Michael E.H.; McDougal, Rebecca L.; McDowell, John M.; Michelmore, Richard W.; Milenkovi´c, Ivan; Moricca, Salvatore; Mostowfizadeh-Ghalamfarsa, Reza; Nagy, Zoltán Á.; Nikolaeva, Ekaterina V.; Ortega-López, Paula; Paap, Trudy; Parada-Rojas, Camilo H.; Peduto Hand, Francesca; Pérez-Sierra, Ana; Pettersson, Martin; Prasad, Pramod; Puig, Alina S.; Raco, Milica; Rajput, Nasir A.; Ristaino, Jean B.; Rooney-Latham, Suzanne; Seidl, Michael F.; Shamoun, Simon F.; Solla, Alejandro; Spies, Christoffel F. J.; Sudermann, Martha A.; Swiecki, Tedmund J.; Tian, Miaoying; Tripathy, Sucheta; Uematsu, Seiji; Van Poucke, Kris; Vichou, Aikaterini E.; Walter, Monika; Webber, Joan F.; Williams, Nari M.; Wingfield, Michael J.; Yadav, Dhananjay; Yang, Xiao; Jung, Thomas (American Phytopathological Society, 2025-06)
Phytophthora is a long-established, well-known, and globally important genus of plant pathogens. Phylogenetic evidence has shown that the biologically distinct, obligate biotrophic downy mildews evolved from Phytophthora at least twice. Because, cladistically, this renders Phytophthora “paraphyletic,” it has been proposed that Phytophthora evolutionary clades be split into multiple genera (Crous et al. 2021; Runge et al. 2011; Thines 2023, 2024). In this letter, we review arguments for the retention of the generic name Phytophthora with a broad circumscription made by Brasier et al. (2022) and by many delegates at an open workshop organized by The American Phytopathological Society. We present our well-considered responses to the genus splitting proposals, both in general terms and in terms of the specific proposals for new genera, alongside new information regarding the biological properties and mode of origin of the Phytophthora clades. We consider that the proposals are mostly non-rigorous and not supported by the scientific evidence. Further, given (i) the apparent lack of any distinguishing biological characteristics (synapomorphies) between the Phytophthora clades; (ii) the fundamental monophyly of Phytophthora in the original Haeckelian sense (Haeckel 1877); (iii) the fact that paraphyly is not a justification for taxonomic splitting; and (iv) the considerable likely damage to effective scientific communication and disease management from an unnecessary breakup of the genus, we report that workshop delegates voted unanimously in favor of preserving the current generic concept and for seeking endorsement of this view by a working group of the International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi.
From detection to action—a proposed workflow to ensure first reports of alien species from molecular analyses are acted upon
Winzer, Laura Fernández; Faulkner, Katelyn Terri; Paap, Trudy; Wilson, John R.U. (Pensoft Publishers, 2025-12-17)
Gaps between detection and action often hinder timely biosecurity responses. For example, the polyphagous shot hole borer (Euwallacea fornicatus) was first recorded in South Africa in 2012 through DNA barcoding, but action only followed a field observation in 2017. Here we present a simple, generalisable workflow that aims to ensure molecular observations are evaluated and flagged for further action. Using South Africa as a case study, 10,084 records from the ‘Barcode of Life Data System’ (BOLD) for South Africa were compared with three datasets: a watch list of species of concern (400 species); a list of high-risk agricultural pests detected at the border but not yet established (218 species); and the Botanical Database of Southern Africa (BODATSA, 68,153 records), which includes alien plant species found outside of cultivation. We identified four species on the watch list or pest list that appear to be present in South Africa based on molecular observations, flagged four species as possible additions to the list of alien plants outside cultivation, and identified several discrepancies between lists that should be investigated and resolved. This, we believe, demonstrates the potential for the workflow to guide prioritisation of surveillance and biosecurity actions. The value of the workflow, however, depends on the curation of the underlying lists, how regularly it is applied, and institutional uptake. The workflow should thus be seen as a potential tool to improve the flow of information from detection to action within the context of an integrated and responsive biosecurity system.
Español como lengua extranjera a nivel universitario en Sudáfrica : particularidades y desafíos
Perea, Luis A. Lancho (North American Academy of the Spanish Language, 2025-09)
SPANISH : El presente artículo ofrece un análisis crítico de la historia de la enseñanza del español a nivel universitario en Sudáfrica, considerando el contexto político y el papel de los actores clave. En su primera parte, expone de manera cronológica la creación, y en algunos casos el cierre, de las distintas secciones de español en cada universidad. En este recorrido, examina el dinamismo de sus profesores, reflexiona sobre las decisiones de las autoridades universitarias, describe la actitud de los estudiantes y detalla el papel fundamental que han desempeñado, y siguen desempeñando, las embajadas de países hispanohablantes y la Asociación de Hispanistas del Sur de África. La segunda parte aborda algunas particularidades y desafíos, como los efectos y preocupaciones derivados de las políticas lingüísticas, el predominio del inglés y sus implicaciones, el tratamiento del componente literario en el marco curricular vigente, así como las motivaciones y los retos que enfrentan los estudiantes en el aprendizaje del español. Con el objetivo de presentar información relevante y fidedigna, se ha contactado y entrevistado a profesores de cada una de las secciones de español analizadas. Asimismo, se le ha enviado el texto correspondiente a su institución para su revisión, comentarios y sugerencias. Para recoger la voz de los estudiantes, se ha aplicado una encuesta a 81 estudiantes de las cuatro universidades que imparten español, obteniéndose respuestas que han sido objeto de análisis.
Investigating children's ministry in the Church of the Province of Uganda in the diocese of Kampala
Kamoga, Alex; Beukes, Jacques W. (University of the Free State, 2026-06-30)
The article examines current approaches to children’s ministry in the Church of the Province of Uganda, focusing on the Diocese of Kampala. Uganda has a predominantly young population, with 56.7 per cent below the age of 19 years (UBoS 2021), yet the church invests limited resources in children’s ministry. Both clergy and volunteers often lack formal training for effective spiritual nurture. The article aims to explore how children’s ministry within the church can be strengthened. It draws on documentary analysis and qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 28 respondents. Findings reveal significant challenges, including inadequate funding, a shortage of trained personnel, the marginalisation of children’s programmes, and a lack of standardised ministry practices. These limitations hinder the church’s capacity to provide holistic spiritual formation for children. The article highlights the need for intentional investment, structured training, standardisation, and strategic prioritisation to enhance effectiveness and sustainability.
The impact of oral Bible translation on spiritual formation in Malawi, with special focus on the Malokotela and Mihipiti languages
Banda, Maxwell Chiwoko (University of the Free State, 2026-05-29)
Bible translation plays an important role in spiritual formation, as it allows people to access God’s Word in their mother tongue languages. In Malawi, although the Bible has been available in Chichewa, a widely spoken language, for over a century, spiritual formation remains largely unfulfilled. Various ungodly cultural practices indicate that the message of the Bible is not rooted in people’s hearts. This gap is mainly due to the fact that the Bible has existed in written form; yet many Malawian cultures are mostly oral, with a significant proportion of the population, especially in rural areas, lacking literacy skills. This study surveys different scholars on spiritual formation and Bible translation to argue that translation efforts must take into account the communication preferences of the targeted audience. The research further examines oral Bible translation projects in Malokotela and Mihipiti languages, assessing their impact on spiritual formation. Based on field findings, the study offers conclusions and practical recommendations.