International cooperation volunteer project for the identification of plant viruses in the Galapagos Islands

Authors

  • Esther Álvarez Sánchez Área de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, España
  • Daniel Díaz Ruiz Área de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, España
  • Rocío España Bonilla Área de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, España
  • Laura Ramos Zafra Área de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, España
  • Patricio A Vega-Mariño Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad y Cuarentena para Galápagos, Galápagos, Ecuador
  • Edgard Alberto Vélez Pinela Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad y Cuarentena para Galápagos, Galápagos, Ecuador
  • Marilyn Cruz Bedón Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad y Cuarentena para Galápagos, Galápagos, Ecuador
  • Enrique Viguera Mínguez Área de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, España
  • Ana Grande Pérez University of Malaga image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24310/enbio.17.193.2025.18551

Keywords:

International Cooperation, conservation, Galapagos Islands, begomovirus, whitefly

Abstract

Between June and September 2022, a volunteer project in International Cooperation with the Agency for Regulation and Control of Biosecurity and Quarantine for Galapagos (ABG), was carried out in the Galapagos islands, Ecuador. ABG is the authority that controls biosecurity, quarantine, animal and human health, as well as the protection of the island and marine ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands. The objective was to generate knowledge about plant viruses prevalent in traditional crops and natural species on the transition zones between agricultural and protected areas of the Galapagos National Park, contributing to environmental protection and the sustainable use of the natural resources of the Galapagos Archipelago. Single-stranded circular DNA (ssDNA) viruses cause serious losses in many temperate countries with an agriculture-based economy. They can evolve to cause new or more aggressive diseases in crops or ecologically valuable plants. Volunteers sampled crops of interest such as tomato, zucchini, bell pepper and papaya, as well as weeds and whitefly specimens on Santa Cruz Island. Using rolling circle amplification and specific PCR techniques for begomovirus detection, DNA amplification was obtained in some crops but mainly in weeds, which, if confirmed by sequencing, would suggest the presence of virus reservoirs in these plants. The results obtained will allow ABG to detect and identify the viruses prevalent in the islands and implement appropriate control measures that will directly benefit the Galapagos population with an economy based on sustainable agriculture and ecotourism. The experience has highlighted the benefits of international cooperation, not only in contributing to research and conservation, but also in promoting professional development opportunities for the participants.

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References

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Published

2026-01-30

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How to Cite

International cooperation volunteer project for the identification of plant viruses in the Galapagos Islands. (2026). Encuentros En La Biología, 17(193), 11-14. https://doi.org/10.24310/enbio.17.193.2025.18551