Identification of biotypes and secondary endosymbionts of Bemisia tabaci in Korea and relationships with the occurrence of TYLCV disease

Bemisia tabaci is a species complex that consists of at least 24 genetically diverse biotypes. Here, we determined the biotypes of 27 populations collected in 17 different regions of Korea. Nucleotide sequence comparisons of cytochrome oxidase showed that 26 populations were Q biotype and that one population, the Goyang population, was B biotype. Further subgroup analysis of the Q biotype showed that all populations belonged to the Q1 subgroup, which originates from Western Mediterranean countries. Five endosymbiotic bacteria from various B. tabaci populations were analyzed by comparing rDNA sequences. Hamiltonella was detected in all the populations tested regardless of biotype. Cardinium was detected in all Q biotype populations but not in the B biotype population, while Rickettsia was detected in the B biotype population but not in Q biotype populations. Arsenophonus and Wolbachia were detected in 35% and 58% of Q biotype populations, respectively, but not in the B biotype population. Our results show that the endosymbiont profile is strongly associated with each biotype and with subgroups of the Q biotype. Survey of TYLCV disease from 2008 to 2010 indicated that this disease is widely spread in Korea. This study suggests that the rapid spread of TYLCV may be associated with endosymbiont infection, particularly Hamiltonella infection of B. tabaci.

(A) Geographic distribution of TYLCV disease. (B) PCR detection of endosymbionts of B. tabaci (A: Arsenophonus, C: Cardinium, H: Hamiltonella, R: Rickettsia, W: Wolbachia).Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Bemisia tabaci populations in Korea are mostly Q1 and rare in B biotype.
► Endosymbiont pattern of B. tabaci was closely related with its biotypes.
► Recent outbreak of TYLCV disease could be associated with Hamiltonella infection of Q biotype B. tabaci.