Transcription Profile and Genomic Variations of Oryctes Rhinoceros Nudivirus in Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles
Kayvan Etebari, Rhys Parry, Marie Joy B. Beltran, Michael J. Furlong
Abstract
Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus has been an effective biocontrol agent against the coconut rhinoceros beetle in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands for decades. The recent outbreak of these beetles in many South Pacific islands has had a significant impact on livelihoods in the region. It has been suggested that the resurgence and spread of the pest are related to the presence of low-virulence isolates of OrNV or virus-tolerant haplotypes of beetles. We examined viral genomic and transcriptional variations in chronically infected beetles from different geographical populations. A high number of polymorphic sites among several geographical strains of OrNV were identified, but potentially only a few of these variations in the genome are involved in functional changes and can potentially alter the typical function. These findings provide valuable resources for future studies to improve our understanding of the OrNV genetic variations in different geographic regions and their potential link to virus pathogenicity.