Abstract
Bemisia tabaci species complex comprises at least 44 cryptic species worldwide. Here, we analyze the nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene obtained from 76 samples of B. tabaci collected from 23 districts in Nepal. This is the first genetic and geographic study of B. tabaci species complex in Nepal. Our phylogenetic study identified the presence of three cryptic species—Asia I, Asia II 1, and Asia II 5—with high interspecific but low intraspecific variations. Among the three cryptic species, Asia II 5 was the most prevalent in Nepal, constituting 64.47% of all the sequenced samples. Based on haplotype network analysis of COI sequences, Asia II 1 was more genetically diversified than the other two cryptic species. Our results provided useful information on the genetic diversity and geographic distribution of B. tabaci in Nepal, which help monitor population changes of B. tabaci at cryptic species level and develop sustainable management strategies for its control.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 509-515 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 2020 |
Keywords
- Cryptic species
- Genetic diversity
- Phylogenetic relationship
- Whitefly