We are investigating the evolutionary biology
of Tospoviruses. This genus of viruses causes
widespread losses in many crops. Currently we
are elucidating the diversity that exists among
natural populations of these viruses originating
in widely diverse regions of the world. In addition
we are seeking to identify the structure of diversity
within each individual population to elucidate
the genetic mechanisms responsible for the ability
of these viruses to adapt to new hosts, especially
those that have newly introduced resistance genes.
Recent studies have revealed considerable diversity
within populations and an unexpected plasticity
due to high frequency of reassortment of genome
segments among mixed populations.
Key words: Tospoviruses, tomato spotted wilt virus,
Impatiens necrotic spot virus, Iris yellow spot
virus; virus genetics, reassortment, recombination,
quasispecies, thrips transmission, ambisense genome,
bunyaviridae |
