High diversity, expanding populations and purifying selection in phytoplasmas causing coconut lethal yellowing in Mozambique. (4th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bila, J.; Mondjana, A.; Samils, B.; Högberg, N.
• Is Part Of: Plant pathology. Volume 64:Number 3(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 597
• Page End: 604
• Publication Date: 2014-11-04
• Subjects: Agricultural pests -- Periodicals; Plant diseases -- Periodicals; 632
• DOI: 10.1111/ppa.12306
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-0862

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ppa12306-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>In this study, the putative phytoplasma species causing coconut lethal yellowing disease in Mozambique and Tanzania were characterized. The 16S rRNA and <italic>secA</italic> genes were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Mozambican coconut phytoplasmas belong to three different types: '<italic>Candidatus</italic> Phytoplasma palmicola' 16SrXXII‐A, a second strain that was previously isolated in Tanzania and Kenya (16SrIV‐C), and a third strain that was different from all known lethal yellowing phytoplasma species. The third strain potentially represents a novel species and is closely related to pine phytoplasma. Co‐infection with '<italic>Ca</italic>. Phytoplasma pini'‐related and '<italic>Ca</italic>. Phytoplasma palmicola' 16SrXXII‐A strains was observed. Furthermore, sequence variation in '<italic>Ca</italic>. Phytoplasma palmicola' at the population level was consistent with purifying selection and population expansion.</p> </abstract>