Ecology and evolution of papaya ringspot virus

Abstract

Carica papaya L., native to south of Mexico and Central America, is the third most cultivated tropical crop worldwide. Although more than 35 viruses have been reported infecting papaya, only papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) is considered a global threat. The rapid distribution of PRSV, unlike other viruses that infect papaya, opens several questions about possible scenarios related with the dispersion of this virus over long distances. Here, we summarize the main aspects of PRSV, focused on the evolution in different ecological scenarios.