Characterization of Passionfruit severe leaf distortion virus, a novel begomovirus infecting passionfruit in Brazil, reveals a close relationship with tomato‐infecting begomoviruses

Molecular and biological characterization of the begomovirus isolate BR:LNS2:Pas:01, obtained from yellow passionfruit plants in Livramento de Nossa Senhora, Bahia state, Brazil, was carried out. Sequence analysis demonstrated that the BR:LNS2:Pas:01 DNA‐A had highest nucleotide sequence identity with Tomato chlorotic mottle virus (77%) and had five ORFs corresponding to the genes cp, rep, trap, ren and ac4 . The DNA‐B had highest nucleotide sequence identity with Tomato yellow spot virus (74%) and two ORFs corresponding to the genes mp and nsp . These identity values indicate that this isolate represents a new begomovirus species, for which the name Passionfruit severe leaf distortion virus (PSLDV), is proposed. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the PSLDV DNA‐A and ‐B in a monophyletic branch with Brazilian tomato‐infecting begomoviruses. The isolate’s host range was restricted to species from the Passifloraceae and Solanaceae. PSLDV‐[BR:LNS2:Pas:01] was capable of forming pseudorecombinants with tomato‐infecting begomoviruses, reinforcing its close relationship with these viruses and suggesting a possible common origin. However, the virus was not capable of infecting tomato.