scholarly journals Dynamics of an Ongoing Wolbachia Spread in the European Cherry Fruit Fly, Rhagoletis cerasi (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Schebeck ◽  
Lukas Feldkirchner ◽  
Christian Stauffer ◽  
Hannes Schuler
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Wolbachia Infection ◽  
Smooth Transition ◽  
Mitochondrial Haplotype ◽  
Infection Frequency ◽  
New Host ◽  
Terrestrial Arthropods ◽  
Infection Pattern ◽  
Rhagoletis Cerasi

Numerous terrestrial arthropods are infected with the alphaproteobacterium Wolbachia. This endosymbiont is usually transmitted vertically from infected females to their offspring and can alter the reproduction of hosts through various manipulations, like cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), enhancing its spread in new host populations. Studies on the spatial and temporal dynamics of Wolbachia under natural conditions are scarce. Here, we analyzed Wolbachia infection frequencies in populations of the European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi (L.), in central Germany—an area of an ongoing spread of the CI-inducing strain wCer2. In total, 295 individuals from 19 populations were PCR-screened for the presence of wCer2 and their mitochondrial haplotype. Results were compared with historic data to understand the infection dynamics of the ongoing wCer2 invasion. An overall wCer2 infection frequency of about 30% was found, ranging from 0% to 100% per population. In contrast to an expected smooth transition from wCer2-infected to completely wCer2-uninfected populations, a relatively scattered infection pattern across geography was observed. Moreover, a strong Wolbachia-haplotype association was detected, with only a few rare misassociations. Our results show a complex dynamic of an ongoing Wolbachia spread in natural field populations of R. cerasi.

scholarly journals Wolbachia-Mitochondrial DNA Associations in Transitional Populations of Rhagoletis cerasi

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 675
Author(s):  
Vid Bakovic ◽  
Martin Schebeck ◽  
Christian Stauffer ◽  
Hannes Schuler
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Selective Sweep ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Mitochondrial Haplotype ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Transition Zones ◽  
Mitochondrial Haplotypes ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Rhagoletis Cerasi

The endosymbiont Wolbachia can manipulate arthropod host reproduction by inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), which results in embryonic mortality when infected males mate with uninfected females. A CI-driven invasion of Wolbachia can result in a selective sweep of associated mitochondrial haplotype. The co-inheritance of Wolbachia and host mitochondrial DNA can therefore provide significant information on the dynamics of an ongoing Wolbachia invasion. Therefore, transition zones (i.e., regions where a Wolbachia strain is currently spreading from infected to uninfected populations) represent an ideal area to investigate the relationship between Wolbachia and host mitochondrial haplotype. Here, we studied Wolbachia-mitochondrial haplotype associations in the European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi, in two transition zones in the Czech Republic and Hungary, where the CI-inducing strain wCer2 is currently spreading. The wCer2-infection status of 881 individuals was compared with the two known R. cerasi mitochondrial haplotypes, HT1 and HT2. In accordance with previous studies, wCer2-uninfected individuals were associated with HT1, and wCer2-infected individuals were mainly associated with HT2. We found misassociations only within the transition zones, where HT2 flies were wCer2-uninfected, suggesting the occurrence of imperfect maternal transmission. We did not find any HT1 flies that were wCer2-infected, suggesting that Wolbachia was not acquired horizontally. Our study provides new insights into the dynamics of the early phase of a Wolbachia invasion.

scholarly journals Wolbachia Transfer from Rhagoletis cerasi to Drosophila simulans: Investigating the Outcomes of Host-Symbiont Coevolution

2004 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 273-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Riegler ◽  
Sylvain Charlat ◽  
Christian Stauffer ◽  
Hervé Merçot
Keyword(s):  
Cytoplasmic Incompatibility ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Drosophila Simulans ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Fitness Costs ◽  
Rapid Loss ◽  
New Host ◽  
Fitness Effects ◽  
Ecological Barriers ◽  
Rhagoletis Cerasi

ABSTRACT Wolbachia is an endosymbiont of diverse arthropod lineages that can induce various alterations of host reproduction for its own benefice. Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is the most common phenomenon, which results in embryonic lethality when males that bear Wolbachia are mated with females that do not. In the cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi, Wolbachia seems to be responsible for previously reported patterns of incompatibility between populations. Here we report on the artificial transfer of two Wolbachia variants (wCer1 and wCer2) from R. cerasi into Drosophila simulans, which was performed with two major goals in mind: first, to isolate wCer1 from wCer2 in order to individually test their respective abilities to induce CI in the new host; and, second, to test the theoretical prediction that recent Wolbachia-host associations should be characterized by high levels of CI, fitness costs to the new host, and inefficient transmission from mothers to offspring. wCer1 was unable to develop in the new host, resulting in its rapid loss after successful injection, while wCer2 was established in the new host. Transmission rates of wCer2 were low, and the infection showed negative fitness effects, consistent with our prediction, but CI levels were unexpectedly lower in the new host. Based on these parameter estimates, neither wCer1 nor wCer2 could be naturally maintained in D. simulans. The experiment thus suggests that natural Wolbachia transfer between species might be restricted by many factors, should the ecological barriers be bypassed.

scholarly journals Spatial spread of Wolbachia in Rhagoletis cerasi populations

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 20180161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vid Bakovic ◽  
Martin Schebeck ◽  
Arndt Telschow ◽  
Christian Stauffer ◽  
Hannes Schuler
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Infection Frequency ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Spatial Spread ◽  
Limited Dispersal ◽  
Rhagoletis Cerasi

The bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia has been used to control insect pests owing to its ability to manipulate their life history and suppress infectious diseases. Therefore, knowledge on Wolbachia dynamics in natural populations is fundamental. The European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi , is infected with the Wolbachia strain w Cer2, mainly present in southern and central European populations, and is currently spreading into w Cer2-uninfected populations driven by high unidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility. Here, we describe the distribution of w Cer2 along two transition zones where the infection is spreading into w Cer2-uninfected R. cerasi populations. Fine-scale sampling of 19 populations in the Czech Republic showed a smooth decrease of w Cer2 frequency from south to north within a distance of less than 20 km. Sampling of 12 Hungarian populations, however, showed a sharp decline of w Cer2 infection frequency within a few kilometres. We fitted a standard wave equation to our empirical data and estimated a Wolbachia wave speed of 1.9 km yr −1 in the Czech Republic and 1.0 km yr −1 in Hungary. Considering the univoltine life cycle and limited dispersal ability of R. cerasi , our study highlights a rapid Wolbachia spread in natural host populations.

Wolbachia and Cytoplasmic Incompatibility in the CaliforniaCulex pipiensMosquito Species Complex: Parameter Estimates and Infection Dynamics in Natural Populations

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 165 (4) ◽  
pp. 2029-2038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason L Rasgon ◽  
Thomas W Scott
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Cytoplasmic Incompatibility ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Wolbachia Infection ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Infection Frequency ◽  
Specific Pcr ◽  
Vector Borne

AbstractBefore maternally inherited bacterial symbionts like Wolbachia, which cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI; reduced hatch rate) when infected males mate with uninfected females, can be used in a program to control vector-borne diseases it is essential to understand their dynamics of infection in natural arthropod vector populations. Our study had four goals: (1) quantify the number of Wolbachia strains circulating in the California Culex pipiens species complex, (2) investigate Wolbachia infection frequencies and distribution in natural California populations, (3) estimate the parameters that govern Wolbachia spread among Cx. pipiens under laboratory and field conditions, and (4) use these values to estimate equilibrium levels and compare predicted infection prevalence levels to those observed in nature. Strain-specific PCR, wsp gene sequencing, and crossing experiments indicated that a single Wolbachia strain infects Californian Cx. pipiens. Infection frequency was near or at fixation in all populations sampled for 2 years along a >1000-km north-south transect. The combined statewide infection frequency was 99.4%. Incompatible crosses were 100% sterile under laboratory and field conditions. Sterility decreased negligibly with male age in the laboratory. Infection had no significant effect on female fecundity under laboratory or field conditions. Vertical transmission was >99% in the laboratory and ∼98.6% in the field. Using field data, models predicted that Wolbachia will spread to fixation if infection exceeds an unstable equilibrium point above 1.4%. Our estimates accurately predicted infection frequencies in natural populations. If certain technical hurdles can be overcome, our data indicate that Wolbachia can invade vector populations as part of an applied transgenic strategy for vector-borne disease reduction.

Genetic and cytogenetic analysis of the fruit fly Rhagoletis cerasi (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Genome ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 479-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilias Kounatidis ◽  
Nikolaos Papadopoulos ◽  
Kostas Bourtzis ◽  
Penelope Mavragani-Tsipidou
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Gland ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Cytogenetic Analysis ◽  
Polytene Chromosomes ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Heteromorphic Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Weak Points ◽  
Heterogametic Sex ◽  
Rhagoletis Cerasi

The European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi , is a major agricultural pest for which biological, genetic, and cytogenetic information is limited. We report here a cytogenetic analysis of 4 natural Greek populations of R. cerasi, all of them infected with the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis . The mitotic karyotype and detailed photographic maps of the salivary gland polytene chromosomes of this pest species are presented here. The mitotic metaphase complement consists of 6 pairs of chromosomes, including one pair of heteromorphic sex chromosomes, with the male being the heterogametic sex. The analysis of the salivary gland polytene complement has shown a total of 5 long chromosomes (10 polytene arms) that correspond to the 5 autosomes of the mitotic nuclei and a heterochromatic mass corresponding to the sex chromosomes. The most prominent landmarks of each polytene chromosome, the “weak points”, and the unusual asynapsis of homologous pairs of polytene chromosomes at certain regions of the polytene elements are also presented and discussed.

scholarly journals The first steps toward a global pandemic: Reconstructing the demographic history of parasite host switches in its native range

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maeva Techer ◽  
John Roberts ◽  
Reed Cartwright ◽  
Alexander Mikheyev
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Apis Cerana ◽  
Host Switching ◽  
New Host ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Novel Host

Abstract Host switching allows parasites to expand their niches. However, successful switching may require suites of adaptations and may decrease performance on the old host. As a result, reductions in gene flow accompany many host switches, driving speciation. Because host switches tend to be rapid, it is difficult to study them in real time and their demographic parameters remain poorly understood. As a result, fundamental factors that control subsequent parasite evolution, such as the size of the switching population or the extent of immigration from the original host, remain largely unknown. To shed light on the host switching process, we explored how host switches occur in independent host shifts by two ectoparasitic honey bee mites (Varroa destructor and V. jacobsoni). Both switched to the western honey bee (Apis mellifera) after it was brought into contact with their ancestral host (Apis cerana), ~70 and ~12 years ago, respectively. Varroa destructor subsequently caused worldwide collapses of honey bee populations. Using whole-genome sequencing on 63 mites collected in their native ranges from both the ancestral and novel hosts, we were able to reconstruct the known temporal dynamics of the switch. We further found multiple previously undiscovered mitochondrial lineages on the novel host, along with genetic equivalent of tens of individuals that were involved in the initial host switch. Despite being greatly reduced, some gene flow remains between mites adapted to different hosts. Our findings suggest that while reproductive isolation may facilitate fixation of traits beneficial for exploitation of the new host, ongoing genetic exchange may allow genetic amelioration of inbreeding effects.

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