Diversity of begomovirus DNA beta satellites of non-malvaceous plants in east and south east Asia.

Two previous analyses of the diversity of begomovirus-associated DNA beta satellites focused predominantly on molecules originating from the Indian sub-continent and southern China. They showed the satellites to group according to the hosts from which they were isolated, either malvaceous or non-malvaceous plants, and then to form sub-groups based upon geographic origin and host. In this study we analysed the diversity of DNA beta satellites in east and south east Asia. Here the satellites group by geographic location and are considerably more diverse than previously indicated. This probably reflects the limited movement of begomovirus/DNA beta complexes in this region and their subsequent diversification from a common ancestor to a variety of hosts.