A plant virus differentially alters DNA methylation in two cryptic species of a hemipteran vector

This study investigated DNA methylation patterns in two cryptic species (B and Q) of the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), following the acquisition of the tomato yellow curl virus, a single-stranded DNA virus. The methylation levels in genomic features such as promoters, gene bodies, and transposable elements in both cryptic species were described in this study. While overall trends were found to be similar, specific differences in methylation levels were observed. Virus-induced differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were associated with different genes in each cryptic species and were negatively correlated with differential gene expression. These DMRs were analyzed for changes in gene expression and alternative splicing, revealing clusters of hyper- and hypomethylated genes related to virus-vector interactions, immune functions, and detoxification processes. These methylation differences may help explain the distinct biological and physiological traits observed between the B and Q cryptic species.