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Regional co-occurrence between distinct Bemisia tabaci species in Tunisia with new insights into the role of host plants

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Abstract

Among the Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) species complex, the Middle East–Asia Minor I (MEAMI) and the Mediterranean (Med) species are the most invasive and widespread agricultural pests worldwide. Currently, only Tunisia and a few other countries are reported to still “host” these two competing species. The objective was thus to improve our knowledge on the factors, particularly the host plant, which contribute to this unusual situation. To that end, we analyzed 47 samples collected from protected and outdoor plants (ten vegetables and ornamentals) in the two main crop-producing regions of Tunisia to (i) better document the co-occurrence of several B. tabaci species and populations, and (ii) confirm the role of the host plant in the distribution pattern of each species. B. tabaci specimens were identified using at least two molecular diagnostic tests. Taken together, the tests confirmed the equivalent prevalence of Med and MEAMI species and, for the first time, the presence of some Sub-Saharan Africa 2 B. tabaci, in Tunisia. The regional co-occurrence between Med and MEAM1 was based on spatial and host-plant partitioning. Our results indicate that Med species are closely associated with ornamentals and MEAM1 with vegetables. Med displayed a higher level of genetic diversity than MEAM1, and another Med specimen characterized by a mtCOI haplotype which perfectly matched the ancestral Gennadius specimen was discovered. The role of host plant type and possible associated factors in the distribution patterns of MEAM1 and Med is discussed in the context of the co-occurrence of cryptic species.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded mainly by the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement through a grant for the graduate student D. Saleh and some financial support for our associate researcher A. Laarif from the Tunisian Jeune Equipe Associée, and by a French National Research Agency Programme (BemisiaRisk project 06-PADD-04). Data used in this work were produced partly through the technical facilities of the Centre Méditerranéen Environnement Biodiversité in Montpellier, France.

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  1. Institution de la Recherche et de l’Enseignement Supérieur Agricole, Centre Régional de Recherche en Horticulture et Agriculture Biologique, BP57 Chott Meriem, 4042, Sousse, Tunisia

    Asma Laarif

  2. INRA, UMR BGPI (CIRAD, INRA, SupAgro), TA A54-/K, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34398, Montpellier Cedex 5, France

    Dounia Saleh

  3. IRD, UMR (INRA/IRD/CIRAD/SupAgro), Centre de Biologie et de Gestion des Populations (CBGP), Campus International de Baillarguet, CS 30016, F-34988, Montferrier-sur-Lez cedex, France

    Nathalie Gauthier

  4. INRA, UMR (INRA/IRD/CIRAD/SupAgro), Centre de Biologie et de Gestion des Populations (CBGP), Campus International de Baillarguet, CS 30016, F-34988, Montferrier-sur-Lez cedex, France

    Cécile Clouet

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  1. Asma Laarif
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  2. Dounia Saleh
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Laarif, A., Saleh, D., Clouet, C. et al. Regional co-occurrence between distinct Bemisia tabaci species in Tunisia with new insights into the role of host plants. Phytoparasitica 43, 135–150 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-014-0437-y

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