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Male-dependent resistance to Spiroplasma-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility
Marie Pollmann1,2,3, Ronja Reinisch2, Lea von Berg2,4
1Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
Royal Society Open Science
|June 19, 2025
Summary
Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is an embryonic failure caused by bacteria. In Lariophagus distinguendus wasps, CI resistance is male-dependent in some strains, suggesting evolutionary drivers for bacterial loss.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Microbial genetics
- Insect-microbe interactions
Background:
- Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) causes embryonic failure between infected males and uninfected females.
- Mechanisms of CI resistance in non-susceptible hosts remain unclear.
- The parasitoid wasp Lariophagus distinguendus harbors Spiroplasma, a CI-inducing endosymbiont.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate Spiroplasma relatedness across L. distinguendus clades.
- Determine CI occurrence and host/sex effects on induction.
- Identify resistance mechanisms in non-susceptible wasp strains.
Main Methods:
- Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) of Spiroplasma strains.
- CI assays across different host clades and sexes.
- Experimental cross-transfer of Spiroplasma strains.
Main Results:
- All L. distinguendus clades carry the same Spiroplasma strain (sDis).
- CI was observed in clade A but absent in clades B and C.
- Clade B exhibited male-dependent CI resistance, confirmed by cross-transfer experiments.
Conclusions:
- A single Spiroplasma infection event likely occurred in the ancestor of L. distinguendus clades.
- Male-dependent resistance is a key factor in the evolution of CI resistance.
- Findings provide a foundation for studying Spiroplasma-induced CI mechanisms and resistance.
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