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Interspecific transmission of endosymbiotic Spiroplasma by mites

John Jaenike1, Michal Polak, Anna Fiskin

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA. joja@mail.rochester.edu

Biology Letters
|April 20, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Ectoparasitic mites can transfer Spiroplasma poulsonii, a bacterial endosymbiont, between Drosophila fly species. This demonstrates a potential mechanism for symbiont host-switching and spread in insect populations.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Insect Pathology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Maternally transmitted endosymbionts are found in diverse insect species, suggesting lateral gene transfer between hosts.
  • The mechanisms enabling endosymbiont host colonization remain largely unknown.
  • Spiroplasma poulsonii is a male-killing endosymbiont of Drosophila.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if ectoparasitic mites can act as interspecific vectors for Spiroplasma poulsonii.
  • To determine if mites can transfer Spiroplasma between different Drosophila species.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of Drosophila nebulosa females with Spiroplasma.
  • Exposure of ectoparasitic mites to infected D. nebulosa.
  • Transfer of mites to Spiroplasma-free Drosophila willistoni.
  • PCR analysis using Spiroplasma-specific primers to detect infection in mites and recipient flies.
  • Assessment of Spiroplasma transmission to the progeny of recipient D. willistoni.

Main Results:

  • Mites successfully acquired Spiroplasma from infected Drosophila nebulosa.
  • Mites transmitted Spiroplasma to naive Drosophila willistoni.
  • Infection was detected in the progeny of recipient D. willistoni, indicating maternal transmission.
  • The rate of Spiroplasma transmission to offspring was low in the new host species.

Conclusions:

  • Ectoparasitic mites can serve as vectors for Spiroplasma poulsonii, facilitating its transfer between insect species.
  • This study provides evidence for a potential mechanism of symbiont host-switching via ectoparasites.
  • Low transmission rates may be linked to Spiroplasma density within the new host.

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