A comprehensive framework for the delimitation of species within the Bemisia tabaci cryptic complex, a global pest-species group

Authors: WANG, HUA-LING - Agricultural University Of Hebei; LEI, TENG - Cornell University; WANG, XIAO-WEI - Zhejiang University; CAMERON, STEPHEN - Purdue University; NAVAS-CASTILLO, JESUS - Purdue University; LIU, YIN-QUAN - Zheijiang University; MARUTHI, M. N. MARUTHI - University Of Greenwich; Bushley, Kathryn; COLVIN, JOHN - University Of Greenwich; LIU, SHU-SHENG - Zheijiang University; OMONGO, CHRISTOPHER - National Crops Resources Research Institute; DELATTE, HELENE - Cirad, France; LEE, KEYONG-YEOLL - Kyungpook National University; KRAUSE-SAKATE, RENATE - Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP); NG, JAMES - University Of California; SEAL, SUSAN - University Of Greenwich; FIALLO-OLIVE, ELVIRA - Instituto De Hortofruticultura Subtropical Y Mediterranea La Mayora

Submitted to: Systematic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Understanding cryptic species diveristy is critical for developing management and control strategies for invasive insects. White flies (Bemisia tabaci sensu lato) form a large species complex that is invasive on several continents around the world. Previous work has used various approaches, including various molecular (DNA-based) genetic markers as well as phenotypic traits and geographic range to try to better delimit species within this large complex. This research evaluated the performance and accuracy of these various data types in circumscribing species limits. We found that several nuclear markers, using a phylogenetic approach gave the more reproducible and consistent results but that reproductive compatibility data also identified at least 17 different reproductively isolates species within the complex. We propose a model that incorporates multiple data sources for future use to delimit species within the complex. These results will aid not only in correct identification of invasive species, but suggest specific strategies for control and management.

Technical Abstract: Identifying cryptic species poses a substantial challenge to both biologists and naturalists due to the morphological similarities. Bemisia tabaci sensu lato is a cryptic species complex containing more than 44 putative species; several of which are currently among the world’s most destructive crop pests. Interpreting and delimiting the evolution of this species complex has proved problematic. To develop a comprehensive framework for the species delimitation and identification, we evaluated the performance of distinct data sources both individually and in combination among numerous samples of the B. tabaci species complex acquired worldwide. Distinct datasets include full mitogenomes, single-copy nuclear genes, restriction site–associated DNA sequencing, geographic range, host speciation, and reproductive-compatibility datasets. Phylogenetically, our well-supported topologies generated from three dense molecular markers highlighted the evolutionary divergence of species of the B. tabaci complex and suggested that the nuclear markers serve as a more accurate representation of B. tabaci species diversity. Reproductive compatibility datasets facilitated the identification of at least 17 different cryptic species within our samples, confirming that the B. tabaci complex comprises multiple cryptic species. Native geographic range information provides a complementary assessment of species recognition, while the host ranges datasets provide a low rate of delimiting resolution. We further summarized the performance of different datasets in species classification when compared the reproductive compatibility with mtCOI divergence and nuclear marker. Finally, we represent a model for understanding and untangling the cryptic species complexes based on the evidence from this study and previously published articles.