Genetics, Vol. 156, 699-709, October 2000, Copyright © 2000

Male-Killing Wolbachia in Drosophila: A Temperature-Sensitive Trait With a Threshold Bacterial Density

Gregory D. D. Hursta, Alice P. Johnsona, J. Hinrich G. v. d. Schulenburgb, and Yoshiaki Fuyamac
a Department of Biology, University College London, London NW1 2HE, United Kingdom,
b Abteilung fur Evolutionsbiologie, Institut für Spezielle Zoologie, Westfälische Wilhems-Universität Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
c Department of Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan

Corresponding author: Gregory D. D. Hurst, Department of Biology, University College London, 4 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HE, United Kingdom., g.hurst{at}galton.ucl.ac.uk (E-mail)

Communicating editor: D. CHARLESWORTH

Inherited microorganisms that disturb the reproduction of their host have been characterized from a number of host taxa. To understand the general principles underlying the genetic and mechanistic basis of interactions, study of different agents in model host species is required. To this end, the nature and genetics of the maternally inherited sex-ratio trait of Drosophila bifasciata were investigated. Successful curing of affected lines with antibiotics demonstrated this trait was associated with the presence of a bacterium, and molecular systematic analysis demonstrated an association between the presence of the trait and infection with an A group Wolbachia. The penetrance and heritability of the trait did not vary with maternal age. Exposure to elevated temperatures did reduce trait penetrance but did not affect heritability. Examination of the effect of temperature on bacterial density in eggs revealed a decrease in bacterial density following exposure of the parent to elevated temperature, consistent with the hypothesis that male killing in D. bifasciata requires a threshold density of Wolbachia within eggs. The male offspring produced following exposure to elevated temperatures were infected with Wolbachia on emergence as adults. Crossing studies demonstrated a weak cytoplasmic incompatibility phenotype exhibited by Wolbachia in these males. The results are discussed with respect to the incidence of male killing within the clade Wolbachia, the general nature of Wolbachia-host interactions, and the prospects for using this association to investigate the mechanism of male killing.





This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J. Cell Sci.Home page
U. Tram, K. Fredrick, J. H. Werren, and W. Sullivan
Paternal chromosome segregation during the first mitotic division determines Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility phenotype
J. Cell Sci., September 1, 2006; 119(17): 3655 - 3663.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
GeneticsHome page
M. E. Clark, C. L. Anderson, J. Cande, and T. L. Karr
Widespread Prevalence of Wolbachia in Laboratory Stocks and the Implications for Drosophila Research
Genetics, August 1, 2005; 170(4): 1667 - 1675.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
GeneticsHome page
K. A. Dyer and J. Jaenike
Evolutionarily Stable Infection by a Male-Killing Endosymbiont in Drosophila innubila: Molecular Evidence From the Host and Parasite Genomes
Genetics, November 1, 2004; 168(3): 1443 - 1455.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
GeneticsHome page
S. Zabalou, S. Charlat, A. Nirgianaki, D. Lachaise, H. Mercot, and K. Bourtzis
Natural Wolbachia Infections in the Drosophila yakuba Species Complex Do Not Induce Cytoplasmic Incompatibility but Fully Rescue the wRi Modification
Genetics, June 1, 2004; 167(2): 827 - 834.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Bacteriol.Home page
L. V. Sun, M. Riegler, and S. L. O'Neill
Development of a Physical and Genetic Map of the Virulent Wolbachia Strain wMelPop
J. Bacteriol., December 15, 2003; 185(24): 7077 - 7084.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Appl. Environ. Microbiol.Home page
H. Anbutsu and T. Fukatsu
Population Dynamics of Male-Killing and Non-Male-Killing Spiroplasmas in Drosophila melanogaster
Appl. Envir. Microbiol., March 1, 2003; 69(3): 1428 - 1434.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Appl. Environ. Microbiol.Home page
J. H. G. von der Schulenburg, M. Habig, J. J. Sloggett, K. M. Webberley, D. Bertrand, G. D. D. Hurst, and M. E. N. Majerus
Incidence of Male-Killing Rickettsia spp. ({alpha}-Proteobacteria) in the Ten-Spot Ladybird Beetle Adalia decempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol., January 1, 2001; 67(1): 270 - 277.
[Abstract] [Full Text]