الملخص الإنجليزي
Abstract: Irrigated agriculture and global trade expansion have facilitated diversification and spread
of begomoviruses (Geminiviridae), transmitted by the Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) cryptic species.
Oman is situated on major crossroads between Africa and South Asia, where endemic/native and
introduced/exotic begomoviruses occur in agroecosystems. The B. tabaci 'B mitotype' belongs to the
North Africa–Middle East (NAFME) cryptic species, comprising at least eight endemic haplotypes, of
which haplotypes 6 and/or 8 are recognized invasives. Prevalence and associations among native and
exotic begomoviruses and NAFME haplotypes in Oman were investigated. Nine begomoviral species
were identified from B. tabaci infesting crop or wild plant species, with 67% and 33% representing
native and exotic species, respectively. Haplotypes 2, 3, and 5 represented 31%, 3%, and 66% of
the B. tabaci population, respectively. Logistic regression and correspondence analyses predicted
'strong'- and 'close' virus–vector associations involving haplotypes 5 and 2 and the exotic chili leaf
curl virus (ChiLCV) and endemic tomato yellow leaf curl virus-OM, respectively. Patterns favor a
hypothesis of relaxed virus–vector specificity between an endemic haplotype and the introduced
ChiLCV, whereas the endemic co-evolved TYLCV-OM and haplotype 2 virus–vector relationship was
reinforced. Thus, in Oman, at least one native haplotype can facilitate the spread of endemic and
introduced begomoviruses.
