Do Wolbachia influence fecundity in Nasonia vitripennis?

Article Abstract:

Influence of a vertically transmitted symbiont, Wolbachia, on host fitness in the parasitic wasp, Nasonia vitripennis, has been investigated. In uninfected strains and strains infected with either two Wolbachia variants or one variant, fecundity was evaluated. No convincing evidence for positive fitness/fecundity effects of Wolbachia in N. vitripennis was found with host genetic background controlled for. Methodological issues in measuring fecundity effects of cytoplasmically inherited bacteria are addressed.

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

Comment:  (50-4000 characters)

Name:

E-mail:

Security Code:

Distribution and reproductive effects of Wolbachia in stalk-eyed flies (Diptera: Diopsidae)

Article Abstract:

Wolbachia are cytoplasmically inherited bacteria. They can alter the reproductive biology of hosts in a way that increases their presence in a population. The distribution and reproductive effects of these bacteria have been studied in stalk-eyed flies (Diptera: Diopsidae) and it seems the microbes are associated with greater fly male fertility. Wolbachia do not cause detectable cytoplasmic incompatibility or cut down reproduction in the host.

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

Comment:  (50-4000 characters)

Name:

E-mail:

Security Code:

Multilocus sequence typing system for the endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis

Article Abstract:

A multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme is developed as a universal genotyping tool for Wolbachia pipientis. It is shown that MLST is effective for detecting diversity among strains within a single host species, as well as for identifying closely related strains found in different arthropod hosts.

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

Comment:  (50-4000 characters)

Name:

E-mail:

Security Code: