Comparative Analysis Between Spider Mites (Tetranychidae)

The genus of the Tetranychi is a common but underestimated pest in areas with a Mediterranean style climate. T.urticae, from which the genome was published recently is a polyphage, feeding on over 1000 different plant species, among some highly toxic. T.evansi is more specifically targeting Solanaceae (tomato, potato) while T.linterius only survives on Ulex europeaus. These very contrasting feeding habits are likely linked to their ability to detoxify compounds and secondary metabolites plants produce to defend themselves against herbivores. Here we will present the final assembly of T.urticae using optical mapping that we used as a template to further compare syntenic regions with the other sequenced genomes of T.evansi and T.lintearius. We will focus on those regions containing previously reported detoxifying genes, shedding a light on losses and/or gains of genes that could explain their feeding habits. In T.urticae we reported intradiol ring-cleavage dioxygenases acquired through horizontal gene transfer that we think are at a key position in the ability to detoxify compounds. Other gene families important are the CYP (P450) , glutathione S-transferase, ABC-transporter and cholinesterase.