ARPHA Preprints, doi: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e124666

Prioritizing plant parasitic nematode and mollusca species likely to be introduced and threaten agriculture, forestry, and biodiversity in Zambia: A horizon scanning approach

Joseph Mulema^‡, Sydney Mfune^§, Francisca Kankuma Mwanda^|, Sydney Phiri^¶, Nchimunya Bbebe^#, Rodwell Chandipo^¤, Mutibo Chijikwa^«, Hildah Chimutingiza^|, Paul Kachapulula^», Mathews Matimelo^|, Emma Mazimba-Sikazwe^§, Mtawa Mkulama^§, Miyanda Moonga^», Wiza Mphande^#, Millens Mufwaya^˄, Rabson Mulenga^|, Brenda Mweemba^§, Damien Ndalamei Mabote^|, Phillip O.Y Nkunika^», Mathias Tembo^|, Judith Chowa^¶, Isaiah Nthenga^|, Chapwa Kasoma^¶, Lucinda Charles^˅, Fernadis Makale^‡, Ivan Rwomushana^‡, Noah Anthony Phiri^¶

‡ CABI, Nairobi, Kenya§ Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Service, Lusaka, Zambia| Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, Lusaka, Zambia¶ CABI, Lusaka, Zambia# Mulungushi University, Kabwe, Zambia¤ Zambia Environmental Management Agency, Lusaka, Zambia« National Biosafety Authority, Lusaka, Zambia» University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia˄ Natural Resources Development College, Lusaka, Zambia˅ CABI, Wallingford, Zambia

Corresponding author: Joseph Mulema ( j.mulema@cabi.org )

© Joseph Mulema, Sydney Mfune, Francisca Kankuma Mwanda, Sydney Phiri, Nchimunya Bbebe, Rodwell Chandipo, Mutibo Chijikwa, Hildah Chimutingiza, Paul Kachapulula, Mathews Matimelo, Emma Mazimba-Sikazwe, Mtawa Mkulama, Miyanda Moonga, Wiza Mphande, Millens Mufwaya, Rabson Mulenga, Brenda Mweemba, Damien Ndalamei Mabote, Phillip O.Y Nkunika, Mathias Tembo, Judith Chowa, Isaiah Nthenga, Chapwa Kasoma, Lucinda Charles, Fernadis Makale, Ivan Rwomushana, Noah Anthony Phiri.

This is an open access preprint distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation: Mulema J, Mfune S, Kankuma Mwanda F, Phiri S, Bbebe N, Chandipo R, Chijikwa M, Chimutingiza H, Kachapulula P, Matimelo M, Mazimba-Sikazwe E, Mkulama M, Moonga M, Mphande W, Mufwaya M, Mulenga R, Mweemba B, Ndalamei Mabote D, Nkunika POY, Tembo M, Chowa J, Nthenga I, Kasoma C, Charles L, Makale F, Rwomushana I, Phiri NA (2024) Prioritizing plant parasitic nematode and mollusca species likely to be introduced and threaten agriculture, forestry, and biodiversity in Zambia: A horizon scanning approach. ARPHA Preprints. https://doi.org/10.3897/arphapreprints.e124666

Abstract

Introduction of invasive alien species (quarantine pests) through intentional or unintentional human-mediated activities has caused enormous economic and environmental impacts necessitating forward planning to identify, prioritise, and prevent their introduction. Using CABI’s Horizon Scanning Tool, 26 mollusca and 199 plant parasitic nematode (PPN) species not reported as present in Zambia were identified. The list was refined to focus on species affecting Zambia’s important value chains resulting in final lists of 130 PPN and 20 mollusca species that were subjected to risk assessment using agreed guidelines. The possible highest and lowest overall risk scores expected were 250 and 2 respectively. The highest overall score was 140 obtained for Arion hortensis, Cornu aspersum, and Deroceras reticulatumi (mollusca) and Pratylenchus penetrans, P. thornei, and Rotylenchulus reniformis (PPN) and the lowest for mollusca was 10, recorded for Arion ater and for PPN, three, recorded by for Peltamigratus luci. Nine (45%; N=20) and 58 (45%; N=130) of the assessed mollusca and PPN species respectively, attained a suggested minimum overall risk score of 54 necessary for instituting phytosanitary measures that limit pest introduction. All assessed mollusca species were likely be introduced through the contaminant and stowaway pathways. The majority (54%; n=70; N=130) of the PPN species were likely to be introduced via contaminant or stowaway pathways, 7 (5%) and 53 (41%) solely as contaminants and stowaways, respectively. Eleven of the PPN are known vectors of pathogenic organisms. Five of the vectored viruses recorded overall risk scores above 54 and included Tomato ringspot virus (105), Tobacco rattle virus (90), Pea early-browning virus (72), Tomato black ring virus (70), and Arabis mosaic virus (60). The assessed PPN were also vectored by insects (order Coleoptera and families, Cerambycidae, Curculionidae, and Dryophthoridae), three of which recorded overall risk scores above the suggested minimum, Monochamus galloprovincialis (60) Orthotomicus erosus (100), and Rhynchophorus palmarum (72). Actions to limit introduction were also suggested for pathogenic organism vectored by PPN and vectors of PPN. The information from this assessment will guide a number of interventions aimed at developing strategies that prevent introduction and spread of assessed mollusca and PPN species

Keywords

invasive alien species, horizon scanning, mollusca, plant parasitic nematodes, pest prioritization, pest risk assessment