Ecological niche complexity of invasive and native cryptic species of the Bemisia tabaci species complex in China

Abstract

\n Bemisia tabaci is an important pest of agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide and comprises a complex of cryptic species. In China, the introduction of the two invasive cryptic species, Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED), has considerably affected the ecological niche of the native cryptic species. Based on occurrence records obtained through field surveys and high-resolution environmental data, ecological niche models were established to predict the distribution of invasive and native cryptic species of B. tabaci in China using the MaxEnt model. The models showed that the suitable range, the important environmental variables affecting the distribution of the cryptic species, and the adaptation range of the main environmental variables related to them were different. The findings of this study showed that the B. tabaci species complex possesses a complex ecological niche. The distribution range and niche breadth of the invasive cryptic species exceeds that of the native cryptic species in the order of MED\u2009>\u2009MEAM1\u2009>\u2009China1\u2009>\u2009Asia1. There are different degrees of niche overlap and range overlap among the different cryptic species. This study, therefore, revealed the differences in the distribution and ecological niche of the invasive and native cryptic species of B. tabaci in China. The findings of this study contribute to the ecological knowledge of B. tabaci, which will be useful in the development of prevention and control strategies for this pest in China.