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Q&A ViewAttendees 1

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

10-Minute Paper

P-IE: Vectors of Plant Pathogens

Genetic variability of Haplaxius crudus, based on the 5’ region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sheds light on epidemiology of palm lethal decline phytoplasmas

Wednesday, November 3, 2021
2:06 PM – 2:30 PM MT
Location: Colorado Convention Center, Meeting Room 103-105
In-Person
Haplaxiuscrudus is an economically important species of cixiidplanthopper that is widespread and abundant throughout the Caribbean basin. It is the vector of lethal yellowing (LY) and putative vector of lethal bronzing (LB), both phytoplasma diseases of palms that cause death, in Florida and the Caribbean.  The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of H. crudus in Florida to determine if divergent populations existed.  The five prime region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was used as the molecular marker.  DNA sequences were obtained from 236 specimens collected throughout Florida, U.S.A. as well as populations from southeastern United States.  Populations from Costa Rica, Colombia, and Jamaica were included to compare differences between isolated populations. In Florida, four haplotypes were discovered with 97% of individuals belonging to a single haplotype, two smaller haplotypes comprised of six and four individuals, and a single haplotype comprised of one individual.  Populations from Texas and Mississippi represented distinct haplotypes whereas populations from Georgia and South Carolina were identical to the predominant haplotype in Florida. Populations from Costa Rica and Colombia were highly divergent while the population from Jamaica was 100% identical to the predominant population in Florida.  These findings highlight measureable levels of genetic variability of H. crudusin Florida and the similarity to populations from Jamaica highlight the need for more robust sampling throughout the Caribbean to better understand movement and invasion potential of this species.