Wolbachia infection suppresses both host defence and parasitoid counter-defence

Anastasia Fytrou, Peter G. Schofield, Alex R. Kraaijeveld, Stephen F. Hubbard

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    107 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Endosymbiotic bacteria in the genus Wolbachia have been linked to several types of reproductive parasitism, which enhance their own transmission, while their direct effects on the host vary from beneficial to neutral or detrimental. Here, we report negative effects of infection on immunity-related traits of Drosophila simulans and the parasitoid wasp Leptopilina heterotoma. Infected D. simulans showed a reduced ability to encapsulate parasitoid eggs, compared to a tetracycline-treated, bacterium-free line. Challenging the two lines with a fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana, on the other hand, revealed no differences in survival. Moreover, elimination of Wolbachia was beneficial for the parasitoid wasp, as eggs laid by uninfected females suffered significantly lower encapsulation rates. We discuss possible origins of these fitness costs and their implications for infection dynamics and the interactions between host species.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)791-796
    Number of pages6
    JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B
    Volume273
    Issue number1588
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Apr 2006

    Keywords

    • Wolbachia
    • Drosophila simulans
    • Fitness costs
    • Parasitoid
    • Resistance
    • Encapsulation

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