Uncovering Wolbachia diversity upon artificial host transfer

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genetics
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• Wolbachia bacteria are endosymbiotic microbes influencing arthropod hosts.
• Beyond reproductive manipulation, Wolbachia impact host behavior, metabolism, and immunity.
• Wolbachia are promising biological control agents for pest and vector management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate genetic changes in Wolbachia populations following artificial horizontal transfer.
• To understand the dynamics of Wolbachia strain prevalence in novel host environments.

Main Methods:

• Microinjection of Wolbachia from Rhagoletis cerasi into Drosophila simulans and Ceratitis capitata.
• Analysis of symbiont gene polymorphism in transferred Wolbachia.
• Long-term monitoring (150 generations) of Wolbachia strain dynamics in D. simulans.

Main Results:

• Wolbachia exhibited ancestral and cryptic sequence polymorphism upon transfer to new hosts.
• Low-titer Wolbachia strains, previously undetected, were identified in trans-infected lines.
• Infections by multiple Wolbachia strains shifted in prevalence post-transfer, influenced by stochastic or selective processes.

Conclusions:

• Artificial horizontal transfer of Wolbachia can lead to shifts in strain prevalence in new hosts.
• Fitness costs associated with trans-infection may drive these observed shifts.
• Understanding Wolbachia population dynamics is essential for successful biological control applications.