Molecular analysis confirms the long-distance transport of Juniperus ashei pollen

Abstract

Although considered rare, airborne pollen can be deposited far from its place of origin under a confluence of favorable conditions. Temporally anomalous records of Cupressacean pollen collected from January air samples in London, Ontario, Canada have been cited as a new case of long-distance transport. Data on pollination season implicated Juniperus ashei (mountain cedar), with populations in central Texas and south central Oklahoma, as the nearest source of the Cupressacean pollen in the Canadian air samples. This finding is of special significance given the allergenicity of mountain cedar pollen. While microscopy is used extensively to identify particles in the air spora, pollen from all members of the Cupressaceae, including Juniperus, are morphologically indistinguishable. Consequently, we implemented a molecular approach to characterize Juniperus pollen using PCR in order to test the long-distance transport hypothesis. Our PCR results using species-specific primers confirmed that the anomalous Cupressacean pollen collected in Canada was from J. ashei. Forward trajectory analysis from source areas in Texas and the Arbuckle Mountains in Oklahoma and backward trajectory analysis from the destination area near London, Ontario were completed using models implemented in HYSPLIT4 (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory). Results from these trajectory analyses strongly supported the conclusion that the J. ashei pollen detected in Canada had its origins in Texas or Oklahoma. The results from the molecular findings are significant as they provide a new method to confirm the long-distance transport of pollen that bears allergenic importance.

Pru p 7 sensitization is a predominant cause of severe, cypress pollen‐associated peach allergy

“…Although cypress trees are typical of Mediterranean regions, Cupressaceae pollen dispersal also affects non‐Mediterranean environments, including Central Europe, North America, Mexico and Japan . GRP‐related allergy to Rosaceae and Citrus fruits was reported in conjunction with Japanese cedar pollinosis .…”

“…GRP‐related allergy to Rosaceae and Citrus fruits was reported in conjunction with Japanese cedar pollinosis . In south‐central United States, mountain cedar ( Juniperus ashei ) pollen is a major cause of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis . Pollinosis to Cupressaceae has been steadily increasing during the past decades, possibly as a result of extended species distribution due to climate change and ability of Cupressaceae pollen to travel over hundreds of kilometres .…”

“…In south‐central United States, mountain cedar ( Juniperus ashei ) pollen is a major cause of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis . Pollinosis to Cupressaceae has been steadily increasing during the past decades, possibly as a result of extended species distribution due to climate change and ability of Cupressaceae pollen to travel over hundreds of kilometres . Individuals with Cupressaceae pollinosis who display similar sensitization profiles due to the homology of allergens from different Cupressaceae species might become exposed to previously unencountered, cross‐reacting foods, when changing residence regions, travelling overseas, or expanding their consumption of fruits and vegetables as a result of healthy living trends .…”

The impact of weather and climate on pollen concentrations in Denver, Colorado, 2010-2018

“…13,30,31 Cedar/juniper in particular has been found to travel long distances. 32 Wind direction was not included in this study, because a prior study of Denver pollen counts found that wind direction did not affect Denver pollen counts. 33 Other factors can affect the relationships we observed between meteorology and pollen counts, both now and in the future.…”

Species Identification of Pinus Pollen Found in Belukha Glacier, Russian Altai Mountains, Using a Whole-Genome Amplification Method

“…Pollen is a type of bio-aerosol; Pinus pollen as well as other types of pollen travel long distances. This pollen is regarded as exotic, and many studies have investigated its source area and long-distance transportation by trajectory analyses [33][34][35][36][37]. For aerosols reaching ice sheets and mountain glaciers, dust has been used as a tracer for emission sources as well as large-scale atmospheric circulation [38][39][40].…”