Evidence for horizontal transmission of secondary endosymbionts in the Bemisia tabaci cryptic species complex.

ABSTRACT: Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a globally distributed pest composed of at least 34 morphologically indistinguishable cryptic species. At least seven species of endosymbiont have been found infecting some or all members of the complex. The origin(s) of the associations between specific endosymbionts and their whitefly hosts is unknown. Infection is normally vertical, but horizontal transmission does occur and is one way for new infections to be introduced into individuals. The relationships between the different members of the cryptic species complex and the endosymbionts have not been well explored. In this study, the phylogenies of different cryptic species of the host with those of their endosymbionts were compared. Of particular interest was whether there was evidence for bo

SUBMITTER: Ahmed MZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3538644 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature