An eco-evolutionary perspective on endemic persistence and invasive emergence of begomoviruses in Mexico

Here we present a conceptual eco-evolutionary perspective on begomovirus emergence, motivated by the observation that these globally important plant DNA viruses of tropical and subtropical agriculture are frequently interpreted through isolated, pathogen-centered case studies. We propose a broader framework in which begomoviruses in agroecosystems operate under two contrasting but interconnected regimes: i) endemic persistence, and ii) invasive emergence. Endemic regimes are characterized by ecological continuity, recurrent mixed infections, local recombination, and long-term circulation within regional host–vector networks. Invasive regimes are characterized by biological introduction, rapid spatial expansion, strong anthropogenic selection, and post-introduction adaptation. Using Mexican begomovirus systems as a conceptual model, we contrast pepper huasteco yellow vein virus (PHYVV, Begomovirus capsicumhuastecoense ) and pepper golden mosaic virus (PepGMV, B. capsicummusivi ), which illustrate endemic persistence in pepper-associated agroecosystems, with tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV, B. coheni ), which exemplifies invasive emergence in intensive tomato production systems. Both regimes share mechanisms such as whitefly ( Bemisia tabaci )-mediated transmission, mixed infection, and recombination, but they differ in evolutionary tempo, spatial scale, and ecological context. Recognizing endemic and invasive regimes as part of a continuum may improve surveillance, risk assessment, and anticipatory management of begomovirus diseases.