Brevipalpus-transmitted viruses: parallelism beyond a common vector or convergent evolution of distantly related pathogens?

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.