Vertically transmitted rhabdoviruses are found across three insect families and have dynamic interactions with their hosts.

ABSTRACT: A small number of free-living viruses have been found to be obligately vertically transmitted, but it remains uncertain how widespread vertically transmitted viruses are and how quickly they can spread through host populations. Recent metagenomic studies have found several insects to be infected with sigma viruses (Rhabdoviridae). Here, we report that sigma viruses that infect Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata), Drosophila immigrans, and speckled wood butterflies (Pararge aegeria) are all vertically transmitted. We find patterns of vertical transmission that are consistent with those seen in Drosophila sigma viruses, with high rates of maternal transmission, and lower rates of paternal transmission. This mode of transmission allows them to spread rapidly in populations, and usi

SUBMITTER: Longdon B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5310039 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature