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Wolbachia pipientis in Australian spiders
Simone M Rowley1, Robert J Raven, Elizabeth A McGraw
1Department of Zoology and Entomology, School of Life Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
Current Microbiology
|September 24, 2004
Summary
This study surveyed Wolbachia pipientis bacteria in Australian spiders, finding diverse strains, some unique, indicating horizontal transmission. Spiders, like other arthropods, can host multiple Wolbachia strains.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Arachnology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Wolbachia pipientis is an endosymbiotic bacterium prevalent in arthropods and filarial nematodes.
- Spiders are known hosts for various microorganisms, but their Wolbachia infections remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct the first comprehensive survey and characterization of Wolbachia pipientis infections in spiders.
- To investigate the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Wolbachia strains in spider hosts.
Main Methods:
- Collection of spiders from Queensland, Australia (2002-2003).
- Screening for Wolbachia infection using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques.
- Phylogenetic analysis of identified Wolbachia strains.
Main Results:
- Diverse and paraphyletic Wolbachia strains were identified in Australian spiders.
- Many spider-associated Wolbachia strains are closely related to insect strains.
- Several novel spider Wolbachia strains were discovered, forming a lineage outside established supergroups (A-F).
- Phylogenetic incongruence suggests frequent horizontal transmission events.
- Spiders were found to harbor multiple Wolbachia strains concurrently.
Conclusions:
- Spiders represent a significant reservoir for diverse Wolbachia strains, including novel lineages.
- Horizontal transmission plays a crucial role in the evolution of Wolbachia in spiders.
- This study expands our understanding of Wolbachia-host interactions across arthropod taxa.