Mycoplasmalike Bodies Associated with Lethal Declines of Palms in Florida

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Abstract
Mycoplasma-like bodies (MLB) were observed in sieve elements in tissues samples from 21 palm species showing symptoms of lethal declines. These lethal declines are evidently identical to lethal yellowing of coconut palms [Cocos nucifera]. The MLB were found most readily near the apical meristem in the bases of young petioles which had not emerged. Although MLB filled sieve elements in a few vascular bundles, their overall concentration generally was low. An analysis of measurements from 2971 MLB photographed from thin sections indicated that MLB populations were comprised of filamentous forms with a mean diameter of 142 nm and nonfilamentous forms with a mean diameter of 295 nm. Filamentous forms were predominantly oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sieve elements.