Morphological and genetic characterization of the broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks (Acari: Tarsonemidae) from two Mexican populations

Abstract

Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks is considered a polyphagous pest of diverse agricultural and ornamental crops of global economic significance. Its distribution, host range, variety of symptoms, morphological differences, chaetotaxy and several ontogeny reports have advanced the idea of P. latus as a species complex. Correct pest identification leads to suitable control treatment. Therefore, the objective of this study was the identification of mites collected in two different geographic regions in Mexico (Chiapas and Guanajuato) that had been tentatively designated as Polyphagotarsonemus sp. Biometric differences on the morphology of adults as well the genetic variability were determined by taxonomical and molecular (mitochondrial COI gene) characterization techniques. The identity of the mites from both populations was confirmed as P. latus based on taxonomic characters. Biometric parameter variations were found between both populations (70.58% and 53.84% for females and males, respectively). The average sequenced fragment size was 447 bp (both populations). A homology search against six P. latus sequences available in the GenBank database revealed that sequence KM580507.1 (from India) shows 83.0–86.41% and 99.26–99.52% similarity with the sequences from Guanajuato and Chiapas, respectively. Molecular data indicated a significant divergence between the populations. The genetic distance demonstrates the population from Chiapas has a higher genetic correspondence (0.010) to the sequence from India (KM580507.1) whereas the population from Guanajuato is more distant (0.191). The genetic distance between the populations of this study and other GenBank sequences is even larger. We consider our results strengthen the hypothesis of P. latus consisting of a species-complex. However, it is essential to extend the study to other regions including its country of origin (Sri Lanka), and to include ultrastructural features.

Exploring the Global Trends of Bacillus, Trichoderma and Entomopathogenic Fungi for Pathogen and Pest Control in Chili Cultivation

“…However, these symptoms may be mistaken for viral infections, herbicide damage, nutrient deficiencies, or physiological issues. Variability in these symptoms could be linked to species complexes or feeding ecotypes ( Ovando-Garay et al, 2022 ). Mite infestation diminishes the quality of chili fruits and seeds, leading to a production loss of over 60 % ( Nasrin et al, 2020 ).…”

The miniature genome of broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Tarsonemidae: Acari)

“…The males are haploid (n = 2) and produced by arrhenotokous parthenogenesis and the females are diploid (2n = 4) and produced by fertilized eggs 6 . It is equally prevalent in tropical, subtropical, and greenhouse environments owing to several intrinsic and extrinsic factors 7 – 9 . Due to its microscopic nature, its occurrence is evident only after substantial injury is caused to the plants.…”

Resistance to fenazaquin in broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae): Realized heritability, risk assessment and cross‐resistance

“…The broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) could wreak havoc on a wide range of plant species in over 57 families (Gerson, 1992). Feeding by larval and adult stages of this pest devitalizes the host plants as they suck out the cytoplasm of mesophyll cells and inject the putative toxins from its saliva (Gerson, 1992; Ovando‐Garay et al, 2022). The infestation is characterized by a variety of symptoms on different hosts, viz., downward curling of leaves, elongation of the petiole, transformation of flowers into leafy shoots and stunted growth on peppers (Cho et al, 1996; Nasrin et al, 2021); extensive silver or bronze‐coloured blemishes over the fruit surface on citrus (Beattie & Gellatley, 1983; Rodríguez et al, 2017); rough, brittle and corky appearance of leaves on mulberry (Arunkumar & Srinivasa, 2021) etc.…”

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The broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) could wreak havoc on a wide range of plant species in over 57 families (Gerson, 1992). Feeding by larval and adult stages of this pest devitalizes the host plants as they suck out the cytoplasm of mesophyll cells and inject the putative toxins from its saliva (Gerson, 1992;Ovando-Garay et al, 2022). The infestation is characterized by a variety of symptoms on different hosts, viz., downward curling of leaves, elongation of the petiole, transformation of flowers into leafy shoots and stunted growth on pep-

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