SRA

Bacterial pathogens from genus Lonsdalea severely affect oak forest ecosystems worldwide. In Colorado, USA, L. quercina is one of the causal agents of drippy blight disease on introduced red oak trees. Prior to discovery of drippy blight in Colorado, L. quercina was reported on oak trees in California, causing drippy nut on acorns of native oaks. Due to its recent emergence in Colorado, the origin and movement of L. quercina are unknown. In this study we investigated evolutionary relationships within genus Lonsdalea worldwide and L. quercina population structure in western USA using whole genome sequencing of 83 isolates from Colorado and California. Our results demonstrate that L. quercina Colorado and California populations comprise distinct patterns of genetic structure and distribution and provide important insights into possible causes of disease emergence in Colorado.