Wolbachia strain diversity in a complex group of sympatric cryptic parasitoid wasp species.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Maternally-inherited symbionts can induce pre-mating and/or post-mating reproductive isolation between sympatric host lineages, and speciation, by modifying host reproductive phenotypes. The large parasitoid wasp genus Cotesia (Braconidae) includes a diversity of cryptic species, each specialized in parasitizing one to few related Lepidoptera host species. Here, we characterized the infection status of an assemblage of 21 Cotesia species from 15 countries by several microbial symbionts, as a first step toward investigating whether symbionts may provide a barrier to gene flow between these parasitoid host lineages.

Results

The symbiotic microbes Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Microsporidium and Spiroplasma were not detected in the Cotesia wasps. However, the endosymbioti

SUBMITTER: Valerio F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11368008 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature