As of November 2009: Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, Guelph Ontario, NIG 2W1, Canada
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Association between Wolbachia and Spiroplasma within Drosophila neotestacea: an emerging symbiotic mutualism?
Article first published online: 30 NOV 2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2009.04448.x
© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
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How to Cite
JAENIKE, J., STAHLHUT, J. K., BOELIO, L. M. and UNCKLESS, R. L. (2010), Association between Wolbachia and Spiroplasma within Drosophila neotestacea: an emerging symbiotic mutualism?. Molecular Ecology, 19: 414–425. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2009.04448.x
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As of November 2009: Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, Guelph Ontario, NIG 2W1, Canada
Publication History
- Issue published online: 11 JAN 2010
- Article first published online: 30 NOV 2009
- Received 16 January 2009; revision received 6 October 2009; accepted 16 October 2009
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Keywords:
- codivergence;
- co-evolution;
- Drosophila;
- endosymbionts;
- epistasis
Abstract
Interspecific mutualism can evolve when specific lineages of different species tend to be associated with each other from one generation to the next. Different maternally transmitted endosymbionts occurring within the same cytoplasmic lineage fulfil this requirement. Drosophila neotestacea is infected with maternally transmitted Wolbachia and Spiroplasma, which are cotransmitted at high frequency in natural populations. Molecular phylogenetic evidence indicates that both endosymbionts have been present in D. neotestacea for considerable evolutionary periods. Thus, conditions are suitable for the evolution of mutualism between them. In support of this possibility, there is a significant positive association between Wolbachia and Spiroplasma infection in many samples of D. neotestacea from natural populations. Theoretically, such a positive association can result from either mutualism between these endosymbionts or recent spread. Collections from present-day populations suggest that recent spread and mutualism have both operated to generate the positive association between Wolbachia and Spiroplasma. If selection acts on the combination of these two endosymbionts, they may be in the early stages of evolution of a more complex, cooperative association.