Symbiotic Bacteria Protect Wasp Larvae from Fungal Infestation

Kaltenpoth, Martin; Göttler, Wolfgang; Herzner, Gudrun; Strohm, Erhard

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2005.04.046

Cited by 69 publications

(117 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

117

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Symbiotic bacteria play important roles in protecting their insect hosts from various threats, including viruses [61,62], fungal pathogens [13,15,63], parasites [64] and predators [65,66], as well as abiotic hazards such as heat shock [67,68]. However, these protective effects can differ markedly within a single symbiont 'species' [5,11,15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for specificity in symbiont-conferred protection against parasitoids

2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Many insects harbour facultative symbiotic bacteria, some of which have been shown to provide resistance against natural enemies. One of the best-known protective symbionts is Hamiltonella defensa, which in pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) confers resistance against attack by parasitoid wasps in the genus Aphidius (Braconidae). We asked (i) whether this symbiont also confers protection against a phylogenetically distant group of parasitoids (Aphelinidae) and (ii) whether there are consistent differences in the effects of bacteria found in pea aphid biotypes adapted to different host plants. We found that some H. defensa strains do provide protection against an aphelinid parasitoid Aphelinus abdominalis. Hamiltonella defensa from the Lotus biotype provided high resistance to A. abdominalis and moderate to low resistance to Aphidius ervi, while the reverse was seen from Medicago biotype isolates. Aphids from Ononis showed no evidence of symbiont-mediated protection against either wasp species and were relatively vulnerable to both. Our results may reflect the different selection pressures exerted by the parasitoid community on aphids feeding on different host plants, and could help explain the maintenance of genetic diversity in bacterial symbionts.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for specificity in symbiont-conferred protection against parasitoids

2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Symbioses with prokaryotes are considered to promote Eukaryote diversification (Brucker and Bordenstein, 2012), particularly in insects (Moya et al, 2008;Gil et al, 2010). Some bacterial symbionts provide novel ecological traits to their insect hosts, for example, defense against pathogens or parasitoids (Oliver et al, 2003;Kaltenpoth et al, 2005), enhanced stress tolerance (Russell and Moran, 2006) or nutrients (Douglas, 2009). Nutrient-providing symbionts are commonly found in hosts with restricted diets, for example, aphids feeding on phloem sap (Baumann, 2005), blood-feeding diptera (Wang et al, 2013) or grain weevils (Heddi et al, 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel intracellular mutualistic bacterium in the invasive antCardiocondyla obscurior

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The evolution of eukaryotic organisms is often strongly influenced by microbial symbionts that confer novel traits to their hosts. Here we describe the intracellular Enterobacteriaceae symbiont of the invasive ant Cardiocondyla obscurior, 'Candidatus Westeberhardia cardiocondylae'. Upon metamorphosis, Westeberhardia is found in gut-associated bacteriomes that deteriorate following eclosion. Only queens maintain Westeberhardia in the ovarian nurse cells from where the symbionts are transmitted to late-stage oocytes during nurse cell depletion. Functional analyses of the streamlined genome of Westeberhardia (533 kb, 23.41% GC content) indicate that neither vitamins nor essential amino acids are provided for the host. However, the genome encodes for an almost complete shikimate pathway leading to 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate, which could be converted into tyrosine by the host. Taken together with increasing titers of Westeberhardia during pupal stage, this suggests a contribution of Westeberhardia to cuticle formation. Despite a widespread occurrence of Westeberhardia across host populations, one ant lineage was found to be naturally symbiont-free, pointing to the loss of an otherwise prevalent endosymbiont. This study yields insights into a novel intracellular mutualist that could play a role in the invasive success of C. obscurior.

show abstract

“…The European beewolf (Philanthus triangulum, Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) engages in a unique and highly specific symbiosis with bacteria of the genus Streptomyces (Kaltenpoth et al, 2005). Female beewolves construct nest burrows in sandy soil, hunt honeybees (Apis mellifera), paralyse them by stinging and provision one to five honeybees as larval food in each brood cell Strohm & Linsenmair, 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since conditions in the brood cells are humid and warm, there is a continuous threat that the female's investment could be destroyed due to fungal or bacterial infection of the provisions or the immature wasp (Strohm & Linsenmair, 2001). Recent studies have shown that symbiotic bacteria protect beewolf offspring against fungal infection at the cocoon stage (Kaltenpoth et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Candidatus Streptomyces philanthi’, an endosymbiotic streptomycete in the antennae of Philanthus digger wasps

Kaltenpoth

Goettler

Dale

et al. 2006

International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology

Self Cite

126

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Symbiotic interactions with bacteria are essential for the survival and reproduction of many insects. The European beewolf (Philanthus triangulum, Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) engages in a highly specific association with bacteria of the genus Streptomyces that appears to protect beewolf offspring against infection by pathogens. Using transmission and scanning electron microscopy, the bacteria were located in the antennal glands of female wasps, where they form dense cell clusters. Using genetic methods, closely related streptomycetes were found in the antennae of 27 Philanthus species (including two subspecies of P. triangulum from distant localities). In contrast, no endosymbionts could be detected in the antennae of other genera within the subfamily Philanthinae (Aphilanthops, Clypeadon and Cerceris). On the basis of morphological, genetic and ecological data, ‘Candidatus Streptomyces philanthi’ is proposed. 16S rRNA gene sequence data are provided for 28 ecotypes of ‘Candidatus Streptomyces philanthi’ that reside in different host species and subspecies of the genus Philanthus. Primers for the selective amplification of ‘Candidatus Streptomyces philanthi’ and an oligonucleotide probe for specific detection by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) are described.

show abstract

Symbiotic Bacteria Protect Wasp Larvae from Fungal Infestation

Abstract: As a result of a printing error in the March 8, 2005 issue of Current Biology, pp. 475-479, the data in Figure 2 in this paper were compromised. A reprinted figure appears below. Current Biology regrets the error.

Cited by 69 publications

References 0 publications

Evidence for specificity in symbiont-conferred protection against parasitoids

Evidence for specificity in symbiont-conferred protection against parasitoids

A novel intracellular mutualistic bacterium in the invasive antCardiocondyla obscurior

‘Candidatus Streptomyces philanthi’, an endosymbiotic streptomycete in the antennae of Philanthus digger wasps

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About