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Experimental demonstration of the transmission of Spiroplasma between different arthropod taxa
Shohei Ogata1,2,3, Naoki Hayashi1, Yuki Eshita2
1Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan.
Abstract:
Spiroplasma (Mycoplasmatales: Spiroplasmataceae) is one of the most widely distributed symbionts of arthropods. Spiroplasma species can infect their hosts via vertical or horizontal transmission. However, the mode of transmission of Spiroplasma between different arthropod taxa has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the potential for the transmission of Spiroplasma to non-native arthropod species, using 2 Spiroplasma spp. isolated from ticks, namely Spiroplasma ixodetis and Spiroplasma mirum, and 3 species of mosquito laboratory colonies, namely Aedes albopictus, Aedes aegypti, and Culex pipiens pallens (Diptera: Culicidae). After feeding the adult mosquitoes with Spiroplasma-containing artificial meals, they were kept at 25 °C for 10 days. Homogenates prepared from Spiroplasma-fed mosquitoes were used to re-isolate Spiroplasma using the in vitro culture method. Nine weeks after culture initiation, the presence of Spiroplasma was tested using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results revealed that only S. ixodetis was detected from all 3 species of mosquitoes and re-isolated from 2 of them. The differences in the infection ability of different Spirolasma species could be attributed to several factors, including environmental effects. Nevertheless, this is the first experimental demonstration of Spiroplasma transmission among different arthropod taxa. Further studies are needed to elucidate the evolutionary mechanism that supports the survival of Spiroplasma in nature.
Insights
This study demonstrates Spiroplasma transmission between arthropod species. Spiroplasma ixodetis successfully infected mosquitoes, showing potential for inter-species symbiont transfer.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Entomology
- Symbiosis research
Background:
- Spiroplasma are widespread arthropod symbionts.
- Transmission occurs vertically or horizontally, but inter-taxa transmission is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Spiroplasma transmission to non-native mosquito species.
- To determine if Spiroplasma ixodetis and Spiroplasma mirum can infect Aedes albopictus, Aedes aegypti, and Culex pipiens pallens.
Main Methods:
- Mosquitoes were fed artificial meals containing Spiroplasma.
- Spiroplasma re-isolation was attempted using in vitro culture.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed Spiroplasma presence.
Main Results:
- Spiroplasma ixodetis was detected in all three mosquito species.
- Spiroplasma ixodetis was re-isolated from two of the mosquito species.
- Spiroplasma mirum was not detected in any mosquito species.
Conclusions:
- Spiroplasma ixodetis can transmit to and infect different mosquito taxa.
- Interspecies transmission capabilities vary among Spiroplasma species.
- This study provides the first experimental evidence of Spiroplasma transmission between arthropod taxa.
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