Asymmetrical interactions between Wolbachia and Spiroplasma endosymbionts coexisting in the same insect host

Article Abstract:

The interactions between the endosymbionts Wolbachia pipientis strain wMel and Spiroplasma sp. strain NSRO coinfecting the host insect Drosophila melanogaster are investigated. With the help of antibiotic therapy, temperature stress and hemolymph microinjection it was possible to establish the SW strain, infected with both Spiroplasma and Wolbachia, the S strain, infected with Spiroplasma only and the W strain, infected with Wolbachia only in the same host genetic background.

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Population dynamics of male-killing and non-male-killing spiroplasmas in Drosophila melanogaster

Article Abstract:

Research shows that in the early development of the Drosophila melanogaster, the titers of the male-killing strain are higher than those of non-male-killing spiroplasmas at the first- and second-instar stages but attaining almost same level at the later developmental stages. However, during host aging, the populations of the two spiroplasmas exhibit different growth pattherns.

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Prevalence of a non-male-killing spiroplasma in natural populations of Drosophila hydei

Article Abstract:

Spiroplasma infection without causing male-killing was studied to show it is prevalent in Japanese populations of Drosophila hydei. It was suggested that the spiroplasma genotype rather than the host genotype was responsible for the absence of the male-killing phenotype.

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