Central American and Caribbean population history of the Pseudocercospora fijiensis fungus responsible for the latest worldwide pandemics on banana

Among the emerging fungal diseases threatening food security, Pseudocercospora fijiensis fungus causing black leaf streak disease of banana is one most marked examples a recent worldwide pandemic on major crop. We assessed how this pathogen spread throughout latest invaded region, i.e. Central America and Caribbean. retraced its population history combining detailed monitoring information outbreaks genetic analyses based large-scale sampling P. isolates from 121 locations region. The results first suggested that sexual reproduction was not lost during expansion, even in insular Caribbean context, high level genotypic diversity maintained all populations studied. structure historical data showed two waves swept northward southward banana-producing countries study area an initial entry point Honduras, probably mainly through gradual stepwise spore dispersal. Serial founder events accompanying northern southern led to establishment different groups. A detected islands (Martinique, Dominica Guadeloupe), revealing multiple introductions admixture may have been partly due human activities. highlight need step up surveillance limit other known by humans, but also curb gene flow between established which could increase their evolutionary potential.