Social parasitism in fire ants (Solenopsis spp.): a potential mechanism for interspecies transfer of Wolbachia

Abstract

One possible mechanism for interspecific transfer of Wolbachia is through the intimate contact between parasites and their hosts. We surveyed 10 species of fly parasitoids (Pseudacteon spp.) and one inquiline social parasite, Solenopsis daguerrei, for the presence and sequence identity (wsp gene) of Wolbachia. Two Wolbachia variants infecting S. daguerrei were identical to known variants infecting the two common ant host species, Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri, suggesting possible transfers of Wolbachia between this parasite and their hosts have occurred. Our data also revealed an unexpectedly high diversity of Wolbachia variants within S. daguerrei: up to eight variants were found within each individual, which, to our knowledge, is the highest reported number of Wolbachia variants infecting a single individual of any host species.

Analysis of the Hypervariable Regions (HVRs) of the wsp Gene of Wolbachia from Solenopsis invicta Ants in Southeastern Brazil

“…Such a phenomenon would proportionally and numerically increase the local survival of the symbiont, and supports the hypothesis of a symbiont specialized in ants [9]. Because L. humile and different species of Solenopsis and Acromyrmex share the same Wolbachia subgroups InvA and InvB [6] [26], specialization to ants by the symbiont seems entirely possible. Wolbachia subgroups InvA and InvB (Figure 1) seem to be specific to New World ants [9].…”

“…The mechanism to explain the results in sharing of Wolbachia subgroup (InvA) among ant species can be horizontal transmission via social parasites [6], or parasitoids, such as the flies Pseudacteon genus or wasps of the Diapriidae family [26]. However, other mechanisms such as vertical transmission, loss and reintroduction of infection, populations structure, distinct behaviors and the spreading and radiation of populations [7] may also be important in the phylogenetic grouping we report here for Wolbachia A groups.…”

“…Transmission of Wolbachia can occur vertically, via the cytoplasm of the female reproductive cells, or horizontally, due to interactions between different taxa [5] [6].…”

The Metapleural Secretion of Acromyrmex laticeps (Forel) does not have Fungicide Effect on the Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill

“…nts have many natural enemies, including viruses (Valles et al 2005), bacteria (Pinto et al 2003;DeDeine et al 2005), microparasites and parasitoids (schmiDt-hemPel 1998;Brown 1999Brown ), invertebrates (tonhasca et al 2001rolff & siVa-Jothy 2003), and vertebrates (Jaffé 1993;Diehl-fleig 1995a;1995b). Accordingly, they also display numerous defense mechanisms, including behavior (Diehl-fleig & lucchese 1991;Jaffé 1993), increased genetic diversity, either by polyandry or polygyny (schmiD-hemPel 1994;crozier & fJerDingstaD 2001) immunological mechanisms (schmiD-hemPel 2005), especially secretions of metapleural glands (höllDoBler & wilson 1990;schmiD-hemPel 1998;schlüns & crozier 2009).…”

Análise do fator transcricional de meiose grauzone em Culex quinquefasciatus infectado por Wolbachia

“…A transmissão horizontal é o nome dado a transmissão da bactéria entre táxons de hospedeiros artrópodes 14,15 como foi hipotetizado e testado no contato parasitoides-parasitado [16][17][18][19] , presa-predador [20][21][22][23][24] 48,87 .…”