Cannibalism and predation as paths for horizontal passage of Wolbachia between terrestrial isopods

PLoS One. 2013 Apr 10;8(4):e60232. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060232. Print 2013.

Abstract

The alpha-proteobacteria Wolbachia are the most widespread endosymbionts in arthropods and nematodes. Mainly maternally inherited, these so-called sex parasites have selected several strategies that increase their vertical dispersion in host populations. However, the lack of congruence between the Wolbachia and their host phylogenies suggests frequent horizontal transfers. One way that could be used for horizontal Wolbachia transfers between individuals is predation. The aim of this study was to test whether horizontal passage of Wolbachia is possible when an uninfected terrestrial isopod eats an infected one. After having eaten Armadillidium vulgare harbouring Wolbachia, the predator-recipients (the two woodlice A. vulgare and Porcellio dilatatus dilatatus) that were initially Wolbachia-free were tested positive for the presence of Wolbachia both by quantitative PCR and Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH). Even if the titers were low compared to vertically infected individuals, this constitutes the first demonstration of Wolbachia occurrence in various organs of an initially uninfected host after eating an infected one.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cannibalism*
  • DNA Primers
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal*
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Predatory Behavior*
  • Wolbachia / classification
  • Wolbachia / genetics
  • Wolbachia / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA Primers

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ADaWOL ANR-09-JCJC-0109-01 coordinated by Dr Mathieu Sicard). Winka Le Clec’h’s work was supported by a grant from Région Poitou-charentes. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.