The project proposes an organized investigation on viruses infecting succulent and lesser woody vegetation present in the Park. Plenty of plant species/varieties present in the Park represent an excellent substrate for initiating such research.
This proposal is based upon some preliminary data on plant viruses present in the GSMNP generated during the last year’s DLIA-funded project. Although the focus of that project was on ferns, several viruses were detected in some other plant species collected in the late stages of the project (including Rubus spp., Rhododendron, etc) indicating that viruses may be more widespread than thought. Some of detected viruses are very likely new viral species to science.
This project will enrich the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) of the GSMNP and may have larger scientific impact by discovering yet undescribed plant virus species indigenous to this forest ecosystem.
Family Count Graph: FamilyCountAcGraph.pdf
Species Ranking: SpeciesDistributionRanking.pdf
Species Report: Taxonomy.pdf
Upper Taxa List: UpperTaxa.pdf
Principal Investigator
PI Name: Dr. Sead Sabanadzovic
PI Organization: Mississippi State University
Literature References:
Sabanadzovic S. and Abou Ghanem-Sabanadzovic, 2008. Molecular characterization and detection of a tripartite cryptic virus from rose. Journal of Plant Pathology 90: 287-293.
Sabanadzovic S. and N. Abou Ghanem-Sabanadzovic, 2008. First Report of Black raspberry necrosis virus in Rubus canadensis in Tennessee. Plant Disease 92:1254.
