Using host species traits to understand the Wolbachia infection distribution across terrestrial beetles.

ABSTRACT: Knowledge of Wolbachia prevalence with respect to its hosts is restricted mainly to taxonomic/phylogenetic context. In contrast, relations between infection and most host's ecological and biological traits are poorly understood. This study aimed to elaborate on relations between bacteria and its beetle hosts in taxonomic and the ecological contexts. In particular, the goal is to verify which ecological and biological traits of beetles could cause them to be prone to be infected. Verification of Wolbachia infection status across 297 beetle taxa showed that approximately 27% of taxa are infected by supergroups A and B. Only minor support for coevolution between bacteria and its beetle hosts was observed in some genera of beetles, but in general coevolution between beetles and Wolbachia was r

SUBMITTER: Kajtoch L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6351630 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature