Abstract
Brevipalpus phoenicis s.l. is an economically important vector of the Citrus leprosis virus-C (CiLV-C), one of the most severe diseases attacking citrus orchards worldwide. Effective control strategies for this mite should be designed based on basic information including its population structure, and particularly the factors that influence its dynamics. We sampled sweet orange orchards extensively in eight locations in Brazil and 12 in Mexico. Population genetic structure and genetic variation between both countries, among locations and among sampling sites within locations were evaluated by analysing nucleotide sequence data from fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). In both countries, B. yothersi was the most common species and was found in almost all locations. Individuals from B. papayensis were found in two locations in Brazil. Brevipalpus yothersi populations collected in Brazil were more genetically diverse (14 haplotypes) than Mexican populations (four haplotypes). Although geographical origin had a low but significant effect (ca. 25%) on the population structure, the greatest effect was from the within location comparison (37.02 %). Potential factors driving our results were discussed.
Highlights
Citrus crops are important worldwide and sweet orange, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (Sapindales: Rutaceae), is the most economically important species produced [1]
All specimens were identified morphologically from Brazilian and Mexican samples, and the majority were from Brevipalpus yothersi and B. papayensis
When a significant number of mites were produced, ca. five mites per orange were mounted, identified, and only the sample oranges containing B. yothersi or B. papayensis were used in the genetic analysis
Summary
Citrus crops are important worldwide and sweet orange, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (Sapindales: Rutaceae), is the most economically important species produced [1]. One of the most important viral diseases affecting citrus production in Brazil is leprosis, caused by Citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C) [2]. Transmission of this virus has been related to mite species in the genus Brevipalpus, B. phoenicis (Geijskes) [3,4,5]. The existence of a species complex within B. phoenicis [6] makes it more difficult to assess the true role of each species in the transmission of CiLV-C. This species complex has been referred to as B. phoenicis group species A-G [6], but recently the species status of B
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