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Natural Spread of Plant Viruses by Birds
Author(s) -
Peters Dick,
Engels Coert,
Sarra Soungalo
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of phytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0434
pISSN - 0931-1785
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0434.2012.01937.x
Subject(s) - biology , phaseolus , sparrow , botany , zoology
Observations made in Mali strongly suggest that Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) is spread by weaverbirds ( Quelea quelea ) below and around baobab trees ( Adansonia digitata ) in which they nest. Rice leaves in bird nests appeared to be infected. In Spain, an infection of Southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV) in string (climbing) beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) was apparently introduced and spread by sparrows ( Passer domesticus ) judging from the damage caused on flowers and bean pods. Damaged leaves and pods on SBMV‐infected plants were also found in a screenhouse visited by sparrows and bulbuls ( Pycnonotus barbatus ) in Morocco. These observations showed that both viruses could be spread by birds when either collecting infected leaves for nesting or feeding on infected plants.