Ecological niche complexity of invasive and native cryptic species of the Bemisia tabaci species complex in China

Yantao Xue,Congtian Lin,Yibo Zhang,Liqiang Ji,Yaozhuo Wang

doi:10.1007/s10340-021-01450-8

Abstract

Bemisia tabaci is an important pest affecting agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide and comprises a complex of cryptic species. In China, the introduction of the two invasive cryptic species, Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED), has considerably affected the ecological niche of the native cryptic species. Based on occurrence records obtained through field surveys and high-resolution environmental data, using maximum entropy modelling, we established ecological niche models to predict the distribution of invasive and native cryptic species of B. tabaci in China and identified the differences in ecological niches. The results showed that the distribution range and niche breadth of the invasive cryptic species exceed that of the native cryptic species in the order of MED > MEAM1 > China1 > Asia1. There are different degrees of niche overlap and range overlap between cryptic species. Moreover, the important environmental variables affecting their distribution were different, as well as their response and adaptation to most environmental variables. Our results suggest that the B. tabaci species complex occupies a complex ecological niche in China. The findings improve our understanding of the ecological characteristics of B. tabaci species complex, which will be useful in the development of prevention and control strategies for this pest in China.

Highlights

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the most threatening pests in many crops worldwide (De Barro et al 2011)
The models showed that the suitable range, the important environmental variables affecting the distribution of the cryptic species, and the adaptation range of the main environmental variables related to them were different
Based on the results of the modelling, the important environmental variables affecting the distribution of the cryptic species were different

Summary

Introduction

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the most threatening pests in many crops worldwide (De Barro et al 2011). This species directly affects more than 600 plant species by feeding on them, excreting honeydew, and transmitting plant viruses, resulting in significant agricultural losses (Simmons et al 2008; Jones 2003; Navas-Castillo et al 2011; Oliveira et al 2001). Recent genomic studies have shown that B. tabaci is a unique species complex composed of more than 42 morphologically indistinguishable cryptic species (Kanakala and Ghanim 2019; De Barro et al 2011). B. tabaci was identified in China in the 1940s, but was not considered a serious pest until the arrival of the two invasive cryptic species. MEAM1, which was the first invasive cryptic species, was first identified in

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