Complete genome sequences of two distinct and diverse Citrus tristeza virus isolates from New Zealand.

Two Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) isolates from New Zealand that display distinct phenotypes were isolated, examined and sequenced in full. The first isolate, NZ-M16, is largely asymptomatic and non-transmissible by the aphid vector Toxoptera citricida, while the second, NZ-B18, is highly transmissible and induces very severe symptoms on C. sinensis and C. aurantii. Phylogenetic analysis of the genome sequences showed that both isolates were approximately 90-93% similar to the VT and T318 isolates but possessed only 89% identity to one another. Based on sequence identity, both isolates are VT subtypes, with NZ-M16 being T3-like, while NZ-B18 is a member of a novel subtype with B165 from India.