Interspecies Recombination Has Driven the Macroevolution of Cassava Mosaic Begomoviruses
Alvin Crespo-Bellido, J. Steen Hoyer, Divya Dubey, Ronica B. Jeannot, Siobain Duffy
Abstract
Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is a significant threat to cassava production throughout Africa and Asia. CMD is caused by a complex comprised of 11 recognized virus species exhibiting accelerated rates of evolution, driven by high frequencies of mutation and genetic exchange. Here, we present a systematic analysis of the contribution of genetic exchange to cassava mosaic virus species-level diversity. Most of these species emerged as a result of genetic exchange. This is the first study to report the significant impact of genetic exchange on speciation in a group of viruses.
Topics & Concepts
BegomovirusBiologyRecombinationPhylogenetic treePhylogeneticsEvolutionary biologyGeminiviridaeCropGeneticsPlant virusEcologyGeneVirusPlant Virus Research StudiesPlant Pathogenic Bacteria StudiesNematode management and characterization studies