History and Diversity of Citrus leprosis virus Recorded in Herbarium Specimens

• DOI: 10.1094/phyto-03-15-0064-r
• Publication Date: 2015-05-11T12:40:14Z
• Authors: John S. Hartung; Avijit Roy; Shimin Fu; Jonathan Shao; William L. Schneider; Ronald H. Brlansky
• Keywords: Nepovirus

Leprosis refers to two diseases of citrus that present similar necrotic local lesions, often surrounded by chlorotic haloes on citrus. Two distinct viruses are associated with this disease, one produces particles primarily in the nucleus infected plant cells (Citrus leprosis virus nuclear type [CiLV-N]; Dichorhavirus) and another cytoplasm cytoplasmic [CiLV-C]; Cilevirus). Both forms transmitted Brevipalpid mites have bipartite, single-stranded, RNA genomes. CiLV-C CiLV-N South Central America as far north parts Mexico. Although disease was originally described from Florida, it disappeared there 1960s. The United States Department Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service maintains preserved specimens identified at inspection stations 50 or more years ago symptoms leprosis. We isolated these samples performed degradome sequencing. obtained nearly full-length genome sequences both a typical isolate intercepted Argentina 1967 Florida 1948. latter is novel form CiLV-N, not known exist anywhere world today. also documented previously unreported presence Mexico mid-20th century.