Ultrastructural analysis of spiroplasmas detected in palm species infected with the lethal yellowing phytoplasma from Yucatan and Baja California Sur, Mexico

Lethal yellowing (LY) disease was reported from the Mexican states of Baja California Sur and Yucatan, and the presence of 16SrIV group phytoplasmas was fully confirmed by molecular detection assays. Using scanning electron microscopy technique some spiroplasma-like structures along with phytoplasmas were observed in the phloem of four analyzed palm species. Ultrastructural analysis revealed the similarity in morphology of these structures with reported plant-pathogenic spiroplasmas. The possible relationship between spiroplasmas, 16SrIV phytoplasmas and the LY disease is discussed.