Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Transmitting Plant Viruses Using Whiteflies
Published on: November 8, 2013
Brevipalpus-transmitted viruses: parallelism beyond a common vector or convergent evolution of distantly related
Juliana Freitas-Astúa1, Pedro Luis Ramos-González2, Gabriella Dias Arena3
1Embrapa Cassava and Fruits, 44380-000 Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil; Instituto Biológico, 04014-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
Although diseases caused by Brevipalpus-transmitted viruses (BTV) became relevant for agriculture a century ago, their causal agents have been only recently characterized and classified in two new genera of plant-infecting viruses: Cilevirus and Dichorhavirus. In this review, we highlight both similarities and differences between these viruses emphasizing their current taxonomy and historical classification, phylogeny, genomic organization, gene expression, and the latest research developments on BTVs. Additionally, we stress particular features of interactions with their mite vectors and plant hosts that support, from an evolutionary perspective, the potential convergence of both viral groups.
Related Concept Videos
Convergent Evolution
The Evidence for Evolution
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes
Common Ion Effect
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Region of Convergence

