Microbiome diversity and reproductive incompatibility induced by the prevalent endosymbiont Arsenophonus in two species of African cassava Bemisia tabaci whiteflies

Reproductive incompatibility among genetic groups of Bemisia tabaci supports the proposition that the whitefly is a cryptic species complex

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485310000015 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 100 (3) ◽

pp. 359-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 168

Author(s):

J. Xu ◽

P.J. De Barro ◽

S.S. Liu

Keyword(s):

Cryptic Species ◽

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Species Complex ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Strong Support ◽

Crossing Experiments ◽

Complex Species ◽

Putative Species ◽

Reproductive Incompatibility ◽

Cryptic Species Complex

AbstractThe worldwide distribution and extensive genetic diversity of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci has long been recognized. However, whether B. tabaci is a complex species or a species complex has been a subject of debate. Recent phylogenetic analyses suggest that B. tabaci is a cryptic species complex composed of at least 24 morphologically indistinguishable species. Here, we conducted crossing experiments and demonstrated reproductive incompatibility among three of the 24 putative species. Our data and those of previously reported crossing experiments among various putative species of B. tabaci were collated to reveal the pattern of reproductive isolation. The combined results provide strong support to the proposition that B. tabaci is a cryptic species complex.

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Reproductive incompatibility between the B and Q biotypes of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci in China: genetic and behavioural evidence

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485310000416 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 101 (2) ◽

pp. 211-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

D.B. Sun ◽

J. Xu ◽

J.B. Luan ◽

S.S. Liu

Keyword(s):

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Severe Damage ◽

Crossing Experiments ◽

Video Observations ◽

Reproductive Incompatibility ◽

F1 Progeny ◽

Opposite Sex ◽

Reproductive Compatibility ◽

Behavioural Evidence

AbstractThe B and Q ‘biotypes’ of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) have been invading many parts of the world and causing severe damage to a range of crops. Recent phylogenetic analyses indicate that B and Q are cryptic species within the B. tabaci species complex. Although various attempts have been made to examine the reproductive compatibility between B and Q, few studies have tested the fertility of the F1 females and so the extent of possible gene flow remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a series of crossing experiments and behavioural observations to examine in detail the reproductive compatibility between the B and Q biotypes collected from Zhejiang, China, a region recently invaded by these whiteflies. Crossing experiments between the two biotypes using either single-pairs or small groups demonstrated that proportions of females in the F1 progeny were only 0–2% in the inter-biotype crosses compared to 58–68% in the intra-biotype treatments. Furthermore, all inter-biotype F1 females were sterile. Continuous video observations showed that B and Q adults very rarely copulated, and copulation occurred only when adults of opposite sex from different biotypes were enclosed in dense cohorts for a relatively long period of time. These data show that the B and Q biotypes examined in this study are completely isolated in reproduction. The isolation was due to mainly a copulation barrier, but post-copulation barriers were also involved.

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