Pathogenicity of life-shortening Wolbachia in Aedes albopictus after transfer from Drosophila melanogaster

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2009 Dec;75(24):7783-8. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01331-09. Epub 2009 Oct 9.

Abstract

Maternally inherited Wolbachia bacteria have evolved mechanisms to manipulate the reproduction of their invertebrate hosts, promoting infection spread. A high fitness cost to the host is maladaptive for obligate endosymbionts, and prior studies show rapid selection of new Wolbachia associations toward commensal or mutualistic symbioses. Here, wMelPop Wolbachia is transferred from Drosophila melanogaster into the mosquito Aedes albopictus. Characterization of the resulting strain provides an extreme example of Wolbachia as a pathogen. In addition to reduced longevity and fecundity, abnormally high Wolbachia density is associated with embryonic mortality that masks the typical pattern of cytoplasmic incompatibility. The results are consistent with earlier reports that show unpredictable shifts in the Wolbachia phenotype after interspecific transfer, which can complicate proposed strategies to modify the age structure of medically important vector populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / genetics
  • Aedes / microbiology*
  • Aedes / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Cytoplasm / microbiology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / microbiology*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / microbiology
  • Female
  • Fertility
  • Longevity
  • Male
  • Mosquito Control
  • Symbiosis
  • Wolbachia / genetics
  • Wolbachia / pathogenicity*
  • Wolbachia / physiology*