In:
Genetical Research, Hindawi Limited, Vol. 70, No. 1 ( 1997-08), p. 1-6
Abstract:
Many species of insects bear maternally inherited bacteria which contribute to the physiology and
metabolism of their host whereas others bear inherited bacteria which are regarded as parasitic. Parasitic behaviours centre on disruption of the production, survival or fertility of male hosts,
through which the microbe is not transmitted. One of the most common of these
is early male-killing, where the bacteria kill male embryos they enter. The
question arises as to why all inherited symbionts are not male-killers. The male-killing agents identified to
date derive from two groups: the Proteobacteria and the Mollicutes. However, bacteria from other groups (Spirochaetes,
Flavobacteria) are found to be inherited in insects, but contain no incidence of male-killing. We show here an association of male-killing with a bacterium from one of
these groups. The bacterium causing male-killing behaviour in the ladybird Coleomegilla maculata is most closely
related to Blattabacterium , a host-beneficial Flavobacteria
found in cockroaches and some termites. This result indicates there is little if any taxonomic bar to the evolution of male-killing behaviour.
This pattern severely contrasts with the evolution of two other parasitic symbiont behaviours, cytoplasmic incompatibility and the induction of host parthenogenesis,
which have been found to
be associated exclusively with bacteria from one group: Wolbachia . The result is briefly discussed
in the light of the incidence of parasitic and beneficial cytoplasmic elements among insects.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0016-6723
,
1469-5073
DOI:
10.1017/S0016672397002838
Language:
English
Publisher:
Hindawi Limited
Publication Date:
1997
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2412684-6
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1472156-9
SSG:
12
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