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Wolbachia-induced unidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility and the stability of infection polymorphism in parapatric host populations

  1. M. FLOR1,
  2. P. HAMMERSTEIN1,
  3. A. TELSCHOW1,2

Article first published online: 13 OCT 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2006.01252.x

Issue

Journal of Evolutionary Biology

Journal of Evolutionary Biology

Volume 20, Issue 2, pages 696–706, March 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

FLOR, M., HAMMERSTEIN, P. and TELSCHOW, A. (2007), Wolbachia-induced unidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility and the stability of infection polymorphism in parapatric host populations. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 20: 696–706. doi: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2006.01252.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany

  2. 2

    Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

*Matthias Flor, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt University, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany. Tel.: +49 30 2093 8649; fax: +49 30 2093 8801; e-mail: m.flor@biologie.hu-berlin.de

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 13 OCT 2006
  2. Article first published online: 13 OCT 2006
  3. Received 23 June 2006; revised 14 August 2006; accepted 18 August 2006

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Keywords:

  • biodiversity;
  • critical migration rate;
  • cytoplasmic incompatibility;
  • infection polymorphism;
  • post-zygotic isolation;
  • Wolbachia

Abstract

Wolbachia are intracellular, maternally inherited bacteria that are widespread among arthropods and commonly induce a reproductive incompatibility between infected male and uninfected female hosts known as unidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). If infected and uninfected populations occur parapatrically, CI acts as a post-zygotic isolation barrier. We investigate the stability of such infection polymorphisms in a mathematical model with two populations linked by migration. We determine critical migration rates below which infected and uninfected populations can coexist. Analytical solutions of the critical migration rate are presented for mainland-island models. These serve as lower estimations for a more general model with two-way migration. The critical migration rate is positive if either Wolbachia causes a fecundity reduction in infected female hosts or its transmission is incomplete, and is highest for intermediate levels of CI. We discuss our results with respect to local adaptations of the Wolbachia host, speciation, and pest control.

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