Wolbachia Horizontal Transmission Events in Ants: What Do We Know and What Can We Learn?

ABSTRACT: While strict vertical transmission insures the durability of intracellular symbioses, phylogenetic incongruences between hosts and endosymbionts suggest horizontal transmission must also occur. These horizontal acquisitions can have important implications for the biology of the host. Wolbachia is one of the most ecologically successful prokaryotes in arthropods, infecting an estimated 50-70% of all insect species. Much of this success is likely due to the fact that, in arthropods, Wolbachia is notorious for manipulating host reproduction to favor transmission through the female germline. However, its natural potential for horizontal transmission remains poorly understood. Here we evaluate the fundamental prerequisites for successful horizontal transfer, including necessary en

SUBMITTER: Tolley SJA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6414450 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature