The document discusses species delimitation methods for the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, which is an invasive pest species causing major agricultural losses globally. It applies phylogenetic and coalescent-based approaches to re-examine genetic groups within B. tabaci to determine if they represent distinct species. The results have implications for international trade regulations and effectiveness of control measures given different species of B. tabaci may respond differently to insecticides.

1. Species Delimitation and Global
Biosecurity
Laura M. Boykin1, Karen Armstrong1, Laura Kubatko2
and, Paul De Barro3
1
Bio-Protection Research Centre, PO Box 84, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
2
Departments of Statistics and Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University,
Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
3
CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane QLD 4001
Bioprotection science for New Zealand

2. Thank you:
Co-authors:
Paul De Barro
Karen Armstrong
Laura Kubatko
Organizers:
David Schindel
et al.

3. The Story:
Species Delimitation
phylogenetics
coalescent theory
etc.
Laura K. Me

4. The Story:
Species Delimitation
phylogenetics B. tabaci/
coalescent theory biosecurity
etc.
Laura K. Me Paul

5. Bemisia tabaci
Crop value loss = $500 million annually since 1991 due to B.
tabaci (United States).
cassava tomato sweetpotato
ornamentals
cotton

6. B. tabaci in action
melon crop devastated by B. tabaci
-feeding damage
-transmit viruses
-insecticide resistant

7. 2007 - Global Phylogeny:

8. 2007 - Global Phylogeny:
“Genetic Groups”

9. 2010- Global Phylogeny- Dinsdale et al.
2010. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 103, 196–208.
% divergence....
3%-24 groups
11%-11 groups

10. De Barro et al. 2011:
Genetic groups and
associated biotype
determinations

11. The Story continued:
Species Delimitation Global Biosecurity
phylogenetics trade
coalescent theory plant protection
etc. etc.
Laura K. Me Paul Karen

12. The Story: Current study
Intersection
Species Delimitation Global Biosecurity
phylogenetics trade
coalescent theory plant protection
etc. etc.
Laura K. Me Paul Karen

13. New Study: The Intersection
Species Delimitation
and Global Biosecurity
• Integration of phylogenetic advances, specifically
species delimitation measures, applied to the real-world

14. New Study: The Intersection
Species Delimitation
and Global Biosecurity
• Integration of phylogenetic advances, specifically
species delimitation measures, applied to the real-world
• If we change the names i.e. elevate genetic groups to
species level-- downstream issues exist.
- international trade regulations
- local trade regulations
- effectiveness of insecticides
Boykin, L.M., K. Armstrong, L. Kubatko, and P. De Barro. 2011. Species
Delimitation and Global Biosecurity. Evolutionary Bioinformatics. In Press.

15. How many “species” are there?