Watermelon silver mottle virus: a new member of the genus tospovirus
A tomato spotted wilt-like virus causing significant losses in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in Taiwan has recently been identified as a tospovirus based upon particle morphology, host reactions, thrips transmission and serological relationships (EPPO RS 529/06, 1992). The virus was then designated as Tospo-W and it was found that its nucleocapside protein was serologically unrelated with tomato spotted wilt and impatiens necrotic spot tospoviruses (both potential EPPO A2 quarantine pests). In this study, the authors have demonstrated that the N gene of this virus presented a low homology with other tospoviruses and that its specific cDNA probe did not cross-hybridize with other tospoviruses. Therefore, they suggested to consider this virus as a distinct member of the genus Tospovirus, and to name it watermelon silver mottle tospovirus.
Sources
Yeh, S.D.; Chang, T.F. (1995) Nucleotide sequence of the N gene of watermelon silver mottle virus, a proposed new member of the genus Tospovirus.
Phytopathology, 85 (1), 58-64.