Tracing Begomovirus Evolution: Phylogeographic Insights and Computational Innovations

Begomoviruses represent one of the most destructive and rapidly emerging groups of plant pathogens worldwide. Transmitted primarily by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) cryptic species complex, these single-stranded DNA viruses threaten global food security by causing devastating diseases in essential agricultural crops. The rapid diversification of begomoviruses is driven by high mutation rates, frequent genetic recombination, and interactions with DNA satellites. Furthermore, globalized agricultural trade and climate-driven range expansions of their insect vectors have accelerated the transcontinental dissemination of these pathogens, making them a pressing and continuous challenge for modern agricultural sustainability and global plant health.

Understanding the spatio-temporal dynamics and evolutionary trajectories of begomoviruses is critical for anticipating future outbreaks and developing durable resistance strategies. Recent advances in computational biology, phylodynamics, and high-throughput sequencing have opened new frontiers in molecular epidemiology. These computational innovations allow researchers to trace geographic origins, reconstruct complex dispersal routes, and untangle the evolutionary networks of viral populations with unprecedented precision.

This Research Topic aims to synthesize cutting-edge research at the intersection of viral evolution, spatial ecology, and bioinformatics. We seek to highlight studies that leverage modern computational tools to decode the evolutionary history and phylogeography of begomoviruses. By bridging the gap between theoretical modeling and empirical virology, this collection will provide a comprehensive understanding of how these pathogens adapt and spread across diverse agro-ecological landscapes.

We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Methods, and Perspective articles that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Phylogeographic and phylodynamic analyses: Tracking historical outbreaks, predicting future spread, and mapping regional or global dispersal pathways of begomoviruses.

• Computational innovations: Development and application of novel algorithms, machine learning models, or bioinformatic pipelines for studying viral evolution and recombination.

• Molecular evolutionary mechanisms: Insights into the genetic drivers of viral diversification, including mutation dynamics, genome reassortment, and satellite integration.

• Eco-evolutionary drivers: The impact of climate change, vector population dynamics, and anthropogenic activities (e.g., land use, trade) on viral emergence.

• Co-evolutionary dynamics: The molecular arms race and adaptation between begomoviruses, their whitefly vectors, and plant hosts.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Begomovirus, Phylogeography, Viral evolution, Computational phylodynamics, Molecular epidemiology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.