Evaluation of the morphological and genomic diversity in different populations of Brevipalpus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) species, vector of plant viruses, and their competence for virus transmission

• Grant number: 13/25713-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2014
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal researcher: Elliot Watanabe Kitajima
• Grantee: Aline Daniele Tassi
• Home Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Brevipalpus is a genus of Tenuipalpid mites (Acari: Prostigmata) which are commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions in the world. This genus comprises about 280 species, and have representives of economic importance as pests in several crops, and also because some species vector plant viruses. B. phoenicis, B. obovatus and B. californicus are those known presently as virus vectors. Brevipalpus species are morphologically very alike, and some of them have been misidentified. Among the viruses transmitted by Brevipalpus (BTV) Citrus leprosis is by and large the most important. In the State of São Paulo, Brazil, world's largest orange juice producer, US$80 millions are spent yearly to control the vector B. phoenicis. This project aims to generate basic information for a rapid and precise identification of the Brevipalpus species involved in virus transmission, especially those transmitting Citrus leprosis vírus C (CiLV-C). In this way it is expected to contribute to the better understanding of the epidemiology of the virus and its management. The objective of this project is to clarify some of these pending questions, and proceed the project for MS dissertation of the candidate (TASSI, 2014), combining morphological techniques [light and electron microscopy (transmission and scanning)] and molecular (mite genome and mitochondrial markers, as well of the symbiont Cardinium). The basic idea is to analyze external morphological characteristics, besides the already studied laterodorsal setation, tarsos solenidium of the leg II, which may help a precise identification of different Brevipalpus species. Other characteristics as the dorsal and ventral reticulation and size/shape of the spermatheca, together with molecular markers (GROOT, 2006; NAVIA et al., 2013) will be observed. And whenever possible, to evaluate the efficienty to transmit CiLV-C and other BTV by the different isolates. The Project includes ultrastructural studies of the different morphological types of the spermatheca and additional details of the circulation of the CiLV-C within mite vector body. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

RAMOS-GONZALEZ, PEDRO LUIS; CHABI-JESUS, CAMILA; BANGUELA-CASTILLO, ALEXANDER; TASSI, ALINE DANIELE; RODRIGUES, MARIANE DA COSTA; KITAJIMA, ELLIOT WATANABE; HARAKAVA, RICARDO; FREITAS-ASTUA, JULIANA. Unveiling the complete genome sequence of clerodendrum chlorotic spot virus, a putative dichorhavirus infecting ornamental plants. ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY, v. 163, n. 9, p. 2519-2524, SEP 2018. Web of Science Citations: 2.

TASSI, ALINE DANIELE; GARITA-SALAZAR, LAURA CRISTINA; AMORIM, LILIAN; NOVELLI, VALDENICE MOREIRA; FREITAS-ASTUA, JULIANA; CHILDERS, CARL C.; KITAJIMA, ELLIOT W. Virus-vector relationship in the Citrus leprosis pathosystem. Experimental and Applied Acarology, v. 71, n. 3, p. 227-241, MAR 2017. Web of Science Citations: 13.