Does a parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia induce vestigial cytoplasmic incompatibility?

ABSTRACT: Wolbachia is a maternally inherited bacterium that manipulates the reproduction of its host. Recent studies have shown that male-killing strains can induce cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) when introgressed into a resistant host. Phylogenetic studies suggest that transitions between CI and other Wolbachia phenotypes have also occurred frequently, raising the possibility that latent CI may be widespread among Wolbachia. Here, we investigate whether a parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia strain can also induce CI. Parthenogenetic females of the parasitoid wasp Asobara japonica regularly produce a small number of males that may be either infected or not. Uninfected males were further obtained through removal of the Wolbachia using antibiotics and from a naturally uninfected strain. Uninfected f

SUBMITTER: Kraaijeveld K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3040317 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature