Discovery and identification of a male-killing agent in the Japanese ladybird <Emphasis Type="Italic">Propylea japonica</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) |
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Authors: | Tamsin MO Majerus Michael EN Majerus |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK;(2) Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK |
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Abstract: | Background Endosymbionts that manipulate the reproduction of their hosts have been reported widely in invertebrates. One such group of
endosymbionts is the male-killers. To date all male-killers reported are bacterial in nature, but comprise a diverse group.
Ladybirds have been described as a model system for the study of male-killing, which has been reported in multiple species
from widespread geographic locations. Whilst criteria of low egg hatch-rate and female-biased progenic sex ratio have been
used to identify female hosts of male-killers, variation in vertical transmission efficiency and host genetic factors may
result in variation in these phenotypic indicators of male-killer presence. Molecular identification of bacteria and screening
for bacterial presence provide us with a more accurate method than breeding data alone to link the presence of the bacteria
to the male-killing phenotype. In addition, by identifying the bacteria responsible we may find evidence for horizontal transfer
between endosymbiont hosts and can gain insight into the evolutionary origins of male-killing. Phylogenetic placement of male-killing
bacteria will allow us to address the question of whether male-killing is a potential strategy for only some, or all, maternally
inherited bacteria. Together, phenotypic and molecular characterisation of male-killers will allow a deeper insight into the
interactions between host and endosymbiont, which ultimately may lead to an understanding of how male-killers identify and
kill male-hosts. |
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