Trade-off between reproductive and anti-competitor abilities in an insect-parasitic nematode-bacteria symbiosis.

ABSTRACT: Mutualistic symbionts can provide diverse benefits to their hosts and often supply key trait variation for host adaptation. The bacterial symbionts of entomopathogenic nematodes play a crucial role in successful colonization of and reproduction in the insect host. Additionally, these symbionts can produce a diverse array of antimicrobial compounds to deter within-host competitors. Natural isolates of the symbiont, Xenorhabdus bovienii, show considerable variation in their ability to target sympatric competitors via bacteriocins, which can inhibit the growth of sensitive Xenorhabdus strains. Both the bacteria and its nematode partner have been shown to benefit from bacteriocin production when within-host competition with a sensitive competitor occurs. Despite this benefit, sev

SUBMITTER: Bertoloni Meli S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6262920 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature