Analysis of Species, Subgroups, and Endosymbionts of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) From Southwestern Cotton Fields in Turkey

Abstract

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the most important insect pests worldwide including Turkey. Although there are substantial data regarding species composition of Turkish B. tabaci populations, the situation is still not clear and further investigations are needed. Therefore, in this study, species and subgroups of B. tabaci collected from cotton fields in southwestern part of Turkey (Antalya, Aydın, Denizli, and Muğla) were determined using microsatellite analysis, AluI-based mtCOI polymerase chain reaction-random length polymorphism, and sequencing. Secondary endosymbionts were also determined using diagnostic species-specific PCR. Middle East Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), Mediterranean (MED) Q1, and MED Q2 were the species and subgroups found in this study. The MED species (85.3%) were found to be more dominant than MEAM1. Species status of B. tabaci varied depending on the location. Although all samples collected from Aydın were found to be Q1, three species and subgroups were found in Muğla. Secondary endosymbionts varied according to species and subgroups. Arsenophonus was found only from Q2, while Hamiltonella was detected in MEAM1 and Q1. In addition, high Rickettsia and low Wolbachia infections were detected in MEAM1 and Q1 populations, respectively. In conclusion, for the first time, we report the presence and symbiotic communities of Q1 from Turkey. We also found that the symbiont complement of the Q1 is more congruent with Q1 from Greece than other regions of the world, which may have some interesting implications for movement of this invasive subgroup.

Diversity and evolution of the endosymbionts of Bemisia tabaci in China

“…The variation in the prevalence of endosymbionts could be influenced by numerous factors such as host, environmental conditions, geographical location or even climate (Chu et al, 2011; Karut & Tok, 2014; Morag et al, 2012; Skaljac et al, 2010). In our study, Arsenophonus was abundant in Asia II 1, Asia II 3, and China 1 species but absent in the invasive species MEAM1, which is exactly consistent with previous studies (Bing et al, 2013; Karut et al, 2017); Cardinium was present in the MED, Asia II 1 and Asia II 3 species (20.3–40.7%) but was rarely detected in MEAM1 and not detected in China 1. Taken together, it seemed that these two S-endosymbionts had high prevalence in native species rather than invasive species, which is consistent with another S-endosymbiont Wolbachia but in contrast to Hamiltonella ; Hamiltonella was found abundant in invasive species rather than native species (Bing et al, 2013).…”

“…It has been discovered that the P-endosymbionts Portiera aleyrodidarum and S-endosymbionts such as Arsenophonus , Cardinium , Fritschea , Hamiltonella , Rickettsia , and Wolbachia were infected in whiteflies (Bing et al, 2013; Chiel et al, 2007; Chu et al, 2011; Everett et al, 2005; Karut et al, 2017; Thao & Baumann, 2004; Zchori-Fein, Lahav & Freilich, 2014). Previous studies have investigated the prevalence, diversity and evolution of endosymbionts in the B. tabaci species complex from different countries or regions (e.g., Turkey, China, Brazil, and Africa) (Ahmed et al, 2010; Bing et al, 2013, 2014; Ghosh, Bouvaine & Maruthi, 2015; Hashmi et al, 2018; Jahan et al, 2015; Karut et al, 2017; Marubayashi et al, 2014; Santos-Garcia et al, 2015; Sseruwagi et al, 2018; Thierry et al, 2011, 2015). However, most of these reports only focused on the two invasive cryptic species MEAM1 and MED; furthermore, for studies from China, the sample size and distribution range were limited.…”

Peer Review #3 of "Diversity and evolution of the endosymbionts of Bemisia tabaci in China (v0.2)"

“…The variation in the prevalence of endosymbionts could be influenced by numerous factors such as host, environmental conditions, geographical location or even climate (Chu et al 2011;Karut & Tok 2014;Morag et al 2012;Skaljac et al 2010). In our study, Arsenophonus was abundant in Asia II 1, Asia II 3 and China 1 species but absent in the invasive species MEAM1, which is exactly consistent with previous studies (Bing et al 2013;Karut et al 2017); Cardinium was present in the MED, Asia II 1and Asia II 3 species (20.3-40.7%) but was rarely detected in MEAM1 and not detected in China 1. Taken together, it seemed that these two S-endosymbionts had high prevalence in native species rather than invasive species, which is consistent with another S-endosymbiont Wolbachia but in contrast to Hamiltonella; Hamiltonella was found abundant in invasive species rather than native species (Bing et al 2013).…”

“…Manuscript to be reviewed & Baumann 2000). It has been discovered that the P-endosymbionts Portiera aleyrodidarum and S-endosymbionts such as Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Fritschea, Hamiltonella, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia were infected in whiteflies (Bing et al 2013;Chiel et al 2007;Chu et al 2011;Everett et al 2005;Karut et al 2017;Thao & Baumann 2004;Zchori-Fein et al 2014). Previous studies have investigated the prevalence, diversity and evolution of endosymbionts in the B. tabaci species complex from different countries or regions (e.g.…”

“…Previous studies have investigated the prevalence, diversity and evolution of endosymbionts in the B. tabaci species complex from different countries or regions (e.g. Turkey, China, Brazil and Africa) (Ahmed et al 2010;Bing et al 2013;Bing et al 2014;Ghosh et al 2015;Hashmi et al 2018;Jahan et al 2015;Karut et al 2017;Marubayashi et al 2014;Santos-Garcia et al 2015;Sseruwagi et al 2018;Thierry et al 2011;Thierry et al 2015). However, most of these reports only focused on the two invasive cryptic species MEAM1 and MED; furthermore, for studies from China, the sample size and distribution range were limited.…”