Emergence of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) from a small forested stream in Ontario

Three species of blackflies were found in emergence-trap samples taken overa period of 8 months from a second-order, forested, cold-stenothermal stream in southern Ontario. The emergence phenologies of the two common species, Prosimulium mixtum and Stegopterna mutata, are described and compared with their phenologies in other streams in North America. Hypotheses are presented for the poor faunal diversity and prolonged emergence of the two species in the stream studied. Emergence data are used to describe the pupal distribution in the stream.Wing-length measurements showed a distinct dimorphism in P. mixtum: females were larger than males. Adult size (except of P. mixtum females) varied among sampling sites in the stream and, in the case of S. mutata, this variation was time dependent.     

Ubiquitous associations and a peak fall prevalence between apicomplexan symbionts and reef corals in Florida and the Bahamas

Although apicomplexans are a widely recognized and important parasitic group, little is known about those associated with invertebrates, such as reef-building scleractinian corals. To resolve the potential impact of apicomplexans on coral health, it is first necessary to further describe this group of putative parasites and determine their prevalence among host species. Here, it was hypothesized that apicomplexan prevalence would vary seasonally, similar to what occurs in other marine apicomplexans as well as some coral symbionts. To test this, Caribbean scleractinian species Porites astreoides, Montastraea (=Orbicella) annularis, M. (=O.) faveolata, and Siderastrea siderea were sampled seasonally from two reefs each in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas for 9- and 5.5-year periods, respectively. Utilizing a PCR-based screening assay, apicomplexan DNA was detected from most Floridian (80.1 %: n = 555/693) and Bahamian (90.7 %: n = 311/343) coral tissue samples collected over these multi-year periods. Furthermore, apicomplexan DNA was detected from nearly all (98.7 %: n = 78/79) single polyps sampled at multiple locations within six M. faveolata colonies, indicating little to no intracolonial variation in the screening assay. Mixed-model logistic regression was utilized to determine the effects of season, host species, and reef on apicomplexan prevalence. The model identified a significant seasonal effect, with the highest apicomplexan prevalence occurring during fall. There also was a large effect of host species, with apicomplexan prevalence significantly lower among S. siderea colonies relative to the other species. While reef did not have a significant effect in the full model, there was a significant difference in apicomplexan prevalence between Floridian and Bahamian reefs for S. siderea, implying regional differences in this host species. Despite seasonal and species-specific differences in prevalence, apicomplexans are ubiquitous constituents of these particular scleractinian coral species from Florida and the Bahamas.     

Persistence of insect viruses in field populations of alfalfa insects

The persistence of viruses of five insects was observed in alfalfa fields. The insects were Autographa californica, Colias eurytheme, Pseudaletia unipuncta, Spodoptera exigua, and Trichoplusia ni. The isolated viruses were the granulosis (GV), the cytoplasmic-polyhedrosis (CPV), and the nuclear-polyhedrosis (NPV) viruses. The viruses persisted in the soil, on the alfalfa foliage, and in alternate hosts. In the soil, the viruses persisted even during the winter months when no foliage remained on the plants. Alfalfa sprouts harboring virus-infected larvae of C. eurytheme and S. exigua produced virus infections in larvae of these insects, but those with larvae of A. californica and P. unipuncta did not cause virus infection. The GVs and CPVs isolated from these insects were transmitted to nearly all of the other four species, but the NPVs appeared to be host specific.     

Inapparent infection ofDiatraea grandiosella byHeliothis virescens cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus

The terminal stage of infection with cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses (CPVs) is formation of crystal-like inclusion bodies (polyhedra) in host insects. The degree of susceptibility of larvae to CPV, based on light microscopy and presence of polyhedra, varies with the host species.Heliothis virescens (F.) andSpodoptera exigua (Hübner) are highly susceptible to CPV. In CPV treatedDiatraea grandiosella (Dyar), polyhedra were absent in all 400 + insects examined with light and electron microscopy. However,H. virescens larvae became infected when fed haemolymph ofD. grandiosella larvae or pupae (36±10 days post treatment) developed from CPV-treated larvae. No difference in pathology was observed betweenH. virescens larvae infected with CPV polyhedra and haemolymph fromD. grandiosella. This study provides evidence thatD. grandiosella can serve as a symptomless (no occlusion bodies) carrier of a CPV which is fully expressed inH. virescens species. The observation is interesting because it reveals a potentially important aspect of the epizootiology of this insect virus.     

Detection and characterisation of three novel species of reovirus (Reoviridae), isolated from geographically separate populations of the winter moth Operophtera brumata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) on Orkney

Geographically separate populations of winter moth (Operophtera brumata L.) were sampled in heather habitats on the Orkney Isles in order to investigate the prevalence of virus pathogens. Reoviruses were isolated in 11 of the 13 winter moth populations sampled, with 3 novel species being detected. Two species of Cypoviridae (CPV) were isolated, Operophtera brumata CPV18 and O. brumata CPV19, with one host population suffering 46% infection prevalence of OpbuCPV19. A third virus, O. brumata Reovirus (OpbuRV), was isolated from both winter moth and a hymenopteran parasitoid wasp, Phobocampe tempestiva, which is abundant in these populations. This was identified as a non-occluded reovirus, which was clearly able to infect and persist in both the lepidopteran and the hymenopteran host. The genomes of the three viruses were characterised using gel electrophoresis and the virus structure was investigated using transmission electron microscopy. The relationship of these viruses with a baculovirus that also infects winter moth, OpbuNPV, was investigated, as well as the association of OpbuRV with P. tempestiva. The detection of such viruses is discussed with reference to studies of similar viruses in other lepidopteran and hymenopteran host systems.     

Parasite Prevalence Corresponds to Host Life History in a Diverse Assemblage of Afrotropical Birds and Haemosporidian Parasites

Avian host life history traits have been hypothesized to predict rates of infection by haemosporidian parasites. Using molecular techniques, we tested this hypothesis for parasites from three haemosporidian genera (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon) collected from a diverse sampling of birds in northern Malawi. We found that host life history traits were significantly associated with parasitism rates by all three parasite genera. Nest type and nest location predicted infection probability for all three parasite genera, whereas flocking behavior is an important predictor of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus infection and habitat is an important predictor of Leucocytozoon infection. Parasite prevalence was 79.1% across all individuals sampled, higher than that reported for comparable studies from any other region of the world. Parasite diversity was also exceptionally high, with 248 parasite cytochrome b lineages identified from 152 host species. A large proportion of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon parasite DNA sequences identified in this study represent new, previously undocumented lineages (n = 201; 81% of total identified) based on BLAST queries against the avian malaria database, MalAvi.     

Molecular Characterization of Poxviruses Associated with Tattoo Skin Lesions in UK Cetaceans

There is increasing concern for the well-being of cetacean populations around the UK. Tattoo skin disease (characterised by irregular, grey, black or yellowish, stippled cutaneous lesions) caused by poxvirus infection is a potential health indicatora potential health indicator for cetaceans. Limited sequence data indicates that cetacean poxviruses (CPVs) belong to an unassigned genus of the Chordopoxvirinae. To obtain further insight into the phylogenetic relationships between CPV and other Chordopoxvirinae members we partially characterized viral DNA originating from tattoo lesions collected in Delphinidae and Phocoenidae stranded along the UK coastline in 1998–2008. We also evaluated the presence of CPV in skin lesions other than tattoos to examine specificity and sensitivity of visual diagnosis. After DNA extraction, regions of the DNA polymerase and DNA topoisomerase I genes were amplified by PCR, sequenced and compared with other isolates. The presence of CPV DNA was demonstrated in tattoos from one striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), eight harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and one short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and in one ‘dubious tattoo’ lesion detected in one other porpoise. Seventeen of the 18 PCR positive skin lesions had been visually identified as tattoos and one as a dubious tattoo. None of the other skin lesions were PCR positive. Thus, visual identification had a 94.4% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The DNA polymerase PCR was most effective in detecting CPV DNA. Limited sequence phylogeny grouped the UK samples within the odontocete poxviruses (CPV group 1) and indicated that two different poxvirus lineages infect the Phocoenidae and the Delphinidae. The phylogenetic tree had three major branches: one with the UK Phocoenidae viruses, one with the Delphinidae isolates and one for the mysticete poxvirus (CPV group 2). This implies a radiation of poxviruses according to the host suborder and the families within these suborders.     

The replication of a cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus from Chrysodeixis eriosoma (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Spodoptera frugiperda cells

A cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (CPV) from Chrysodeixis eriosoma (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) replicated in Spodoptera frugiperda cells. Low rates of infection were achieved, even at high multiplicities of infection and TCID₅₀ assays showed that there was negligible release of virus particles from infected cells. In an infected focus assay, based on formation of PIB, the dose-response data demonstrated that a single particle could initiate infection. No loss of infectivity occurred in virus preparations stored at 4°, ?20°, or ?90°C, but infectivity of virus stored at 20°C declined sharply. A small isometric virus contaminant was present in some CPV preparations and its interaction with the CPV is discussed. Limited CPV infection was achieved in Trichoplusia ni cells, but attempts to infect Aedes aegypti cells were unsuccessful.     

Infection Characteristics of Clonorchis sinensis Metacercariae in Fish from Republic of Korea

The infection nature of Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae (CsMc) in freshwater fish hosts is closely related to the transmission of human clonorchiasis. This article reviewed the infection characteristics of CsMc in freshwater fish in the Republic of Korea (Korea). The status of CsMc infection was examined in a total of 17,792 cyprinid fish of 49 species in 9 water systems, which included Hantan-/Imjin-gang, Han-gang, Geum-gang, Mangyeong-gang, Yeongsan-gang, Tamjin-gang, Seomjin-gang, Nakdong-gang, and streams in the east coastal areas from 2010 to 2020. The infection status of CsMc was examined according to cyprinid fish species and water systems, after which analyzed by endemicity and susceptibility index. The high endemicity was shown in the cyprinid fish from 3 regions (6.1%) in the upper reaches of Nakdong-gang, such as Banbyeon-cheon (stream), Yongjeon-cheon, and Wi-cheon. The moderate levels were observed in fishes from 8 regions (16.3%), and low endemicity was shown in fishes from 20 regions (40.8%). No CsMc were detected in fish from 18 regions (36.7%). The susceptibility of CsMc in index fish, Puntungia herzi, was found to be a reliable index without examination of other fish species. CsMc infection rates were closely related to subfamily groups in the cyprinid fish hosts in a highly endemic area. In Korea, a total of 58 fish species in 10 families has been listed as the second intermediate hosts for C. sinensis. This review provides several novel features of CsMc infection and clarifies the species of second intermediate freshwater fish host in Korea.     

Amino acid composition of proteins extracted from virions of cytoplasmic-polyhedrosis virus

The ratio of basic to acidic amino acids in protein from free virions of CPV of Malacosoma disstria was 0.26, while that of occluded virions liberated from the polyhedra was 0.43. The ratio in free virions of CPV of Orgyia leucostigma was 0.39. This suggests that the virions of O. leucostigma reach a more advanced stage of maturity before occlusion than do those of M. disstria. By comparison, the composition of the free virions of O. leucostigma CPV was remarkably similar to that of the midgut protein of host cells. On the other hand, the composition of ribosomes of M. disstria was significantly different from either free or occluded virions of M. disstria CPV. Protein amino acids from virions of Bombyx mori differed from those of virions of other hosts in content of basic amino acids yielding a ratio of 0.68. These characteristics help to identify the viral strains and support previous serological studies reported with these proteins.     

Molecular link between the metacercariae and adults of four species Haematoloechus (Digenea: Plagiorchioidea), including scanning electron microscopy characterization

Haematoloechus comprises a species-rich genus of trematodes commonly found in the lungs of amphibians across the globe. Of the approximately 70 species reported worldwide, Mexico stands out as a biodiversity hot spot for the genus, with 16 species described. In Los Tuxtlas tropical rainforest, in south-eastern Mexico, three species have been reported, two of them endemic of the frog species occurring in the area. Here, we added the record of a fourth species in the area, and partially elucidated the life cycle of these species using DNA sequence data from the 28S rRNA and the COI genes. Frogs, and a diverse array of species of aquatic insects were sampled in two lakes within the tropical rain forest. Adults and metacercariae of Haematoloechus were obtained. Both developmental stages were linked molecularly contributing to our understanding of their transmission pathways, and probable host-specificity patterns. Each of the four species of Haematoloechus were sampled in a particular species of anisopteran odonate, and therefore were considered as specialists towards their second intermediate host. We validated the presence of H. complexus in the region of Los Tuxtlas because their metacercariae, sampled in the anisopteran dragongly Agriogomphus tumens, matched with sequences of H. complexus from Nebraska and Illinois in USA. We further described the ultrastructure of the tegument of three of the four species of Haematoloechus, sampled from their definitive host (Rana vaillanti, Rana berlandieri), to contribute with characters that can be reliable for species delimitation of the genus.     

Zoonotic and non-zoonotic helminths in black rats of rain-fed and irrigated areas of Swat,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan

Present study was conducted to get information on helminth parasites of zoonotic importance among the black rats of district Swat, Pakistan. Two hundred and sixty nine rats were captured from agricultural ecosystem of the district using live captured traps from 2011 to 2013. Captured rats were anesthetized and surveyed for the presence of ectoparasites, then were carefully dissected for investigation of endoparsites. Helminth parasites of 8 species were identified. Presence of parasite was noticed in 23.7% of sampled rats. The infection rates of sampled rats was given in order of their infectivity as Syphacia obvelata 13(4.83%), Aspiculuris tetraptera 13(4.83%), Heterakis spumosa 12 (4.46%), Hymenolepis spp. 9(3.34%), H.diminuta 8(2.97%), Hymenolepis fusa 4(1.48%), Lutziella microacetabularae 4(1.48%) and Lutziella spp. 1 (0.37%). No significant difference (P < 0.4289) was found in prevalence of parasites among areas, crops, crop stages and sex of the host while adult rats were found more infected than sub-adults. S. obvelata and A. tetraptera were the most common species of helminths while Lutziella sp., 1 (0.37%) was found only in one host. Rattus rattus (the black rat) was regarded as the host of helminth parasites of zoonotic importance, therefore the hidden health hazards of this rodent species needed to be considered to prevent infectivity of humans. Current study was concluded that Rattus rattus harbored a wide variety of helminth parasites which shows a hidden risk to inhabitants of the region. Monitoring rats’ population in settle areas and educating the local community about the risk of rat borne parasitic diseases transmission through rats appears to be absolutely essential.     

Evolutionary variations on a theme: host plant specialization in five geographical populations of the leaf beetle Chrysomela lapponica

The ancestral host plants of Chrysomela lapponica are Salicaceae rich in salicylic glycosides (SGs), which serve as precursors for larval chemical defensive secretions. Nevertheless, some populations have shifted to plants poor in SGs or even lacking these compounds. To study whether this shift is accompanied by adaptations to novel SG-poor host plants, we reared C. lapponica larvae from five geographical populations on host plants with high (Salix myrsinifolia) or low (S. caprea) SG content. Individuals from two populations (Finland and Kola region in Russia) associated in nature with SG-rich S. myrsinifolia showed higher survival and shorter developmental time on native host species than on foreign SG-poor S. caprea, thus demonstrating local adaptations to their ancestral SG-rich host plant. Individuals from a Belarus population associated in nature with SG-poor S. caprea showed higher survival on this species than on foreign SG-rich S. myrsinifolia, thus demonstrating local adaptation to the novel SG-poor host. On the other hand, individuals from two other populations associated in nature with SG-poor plants (Baikal and Ural region) performed equally well on both SG-rich S. myrsinifolia and SG-poor S. caprea in our rearing experiments, thus showing no local adaptation to a specific SG-host type, but rather a wide feeding niche including several Salicaceae species of different SG-type. Our results suggest that diet breadth of C. lapponica is a local phenomenon, and that adaptation strategies to novel host plants may differ between populations of a single leaf beetle species.     

Molecular evidence for host–parasite co-speciation between lizards and Schellackia parasites

Current and past parasite transmission may depend on the overlap of host distributions, potentially affecting parasite specificity and co-evolutionary processes. Nonetheless, parasite diversification may take place in sympatry when parasites are transmitted by vectors with low mobility. Here, we test the co-speciation hypothesis between lizard final hosts of the Family Lacertidae, and blood parasites of the genus Schellackia, which are potentially transmitted by haematophagous mites. The effects of current distributional overlap of host species on parasite specificity are also investigated. We sampled 27 localities on the Iberian Peninsula and three in northern Africa, and collected blood samples from 981 individual lizards of seven genera and 18 species. The overall prevalence of infection by parasites of the genus Schellackia was ～35%. We detected 16 Schellackia haplotypes of the 18S rRNA gene, revealing that the genus Schellackia is more diverse than previously thought. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Schellackia haplotypes grouped into two main monophyletic clades, the first including those detected in host species endemic to the Mediterranean region and the second those detected in host genera Acanthodactylus, Zootoca and Takydromus. All but one of the Schellackia haplotypes exhibited a high degree of host specificity at the generic level and 78.5% of them exclusively infected single host species. Some host species within the genera Podarcis (six species) and Iberolacerta (two species) were infected by three non-specific haplotypes of Schellackia, suggesting that host switching might have positively influenced past diversification of the genus. However, the results supported the idea that current host switching is rare because there existed a significant positive correlation between the number of exclusive parasite haplotypes and the number of host species with current sympatric distribution. This result, together with significant support for host–parasite molecular co-speciation, suggests that parasites of the genus Schellackia co-evolved with their lizard hosts.     

Localized hybridization betweenSaxifraga aizoides andS. mutata (Saxifragaceae): Reproductive ecology ofS. ×hausmannii and implications for conservation

The roles of hybridization and of introgression as potential threats to small native populations are current topics of interest both for evolutionary and conservation biologists. Two factors are mainly involved in the threat to natural populations through hybridization: demographic swamping and genetic assimilation. At prealpine locations, twoSaxifraga species with very different growth habits,S. aizoides andS. mutata, form a hybrid,S. ×hausmannii. Investigation of meiosis and crossing experiments revealed regular pairing of the 26 chromosomes and development of viable seeds in the hybrid. Analysis of hybrid indices, GPI allozymes, germination experiments and seed sizes showed an intermediate position ofS. ×hausmannii between its parental species.Saxifraga aizoides andS. mutata were separated by only weak hybridization barriers. Introgression occurred mostly in direction ofS. aizoides, although to a small amount. There is no actual threat to small, prealpine populations ofS. aizoides andS. mutata through interspecific gene flow because hybridization is localized, resulting from different flowering phenologies of the parental species and from the narrow habitat requirements ofS. ×hausmannii, which are similar to those ofS. aizoides. The major threat to local, prealpine populations ofS. aizoides andS. mutata is the loss of landscape dynamics. Both species need open erosion slopes for successful recruitment.     

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Cryptosporidium Species/Genotypes and Relationships with Other Zoonotic Pathogens in Surface Water from Mixed-Use Watersheds

Nearly 690 raw surface water samples were collected during a 6-year period from multiple watersheds in the South Nation River basin, Ontario, Canada. Cryptosporidium oocysts in water samples were enumerated, sequenced, and genotyped by detailed phylogenetic analysis. The resulting species and genotypes were assigned to broad, known host and human infection risk classes. Wildlife/unknown, livestock, avian, and human host classes occurred in 21, 13, 3, and <1% of sampled surface waters, respectively. Cryptosporidium andersoni was the most commonly detected livestock species, while muskrat I and II genotypes were the most dominant wildlife genotypes. The presence of Giardia spp., Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and Escherichia coli O157:H7 was evaluated in all water samples. The greatest significant odds ratios (odds of pathogen presence when host class is present/odds of pathogen presence when host class is absent) for Giardia spp., Campylobacter spp., and Salmonella spp. in water were associated, respectively, with livestock (odds ratio of 3.1), avian (4.3), and livestock (9.3) host classes. Classification and regression tree analyses (CART) were used to group generalized host and human infection risk classes on the basis of a broad range of environmental and land use variables while tracking cooccurrence of zoonotic pathogens in these groupings. The occurrence of livestock-associated Cryptosporidium was most strongly related to agricultural water pollution in the fall (conditions also associated with elevated odds ratios of other zoonotic pathogens occurring in water in relation to all sampling conditions), whereas wildlife/unknown sources of Cryptosporidium were geospatially associated with smaller watercourses where urban/rural development was relatively lower. Conditions that support wildlife may not necessarily increase overall human infection risks associated with Cryptosporidium since most Cryptosporidium genotypes classed as wildlife in this study (e.g., muskrat I and II genotype) do not pose significant infection risks to humans. Consequently, from a human health perspective, land use practices in agricultural watersheds that create opportunities for wildlife to flourish should not be rejected solely on the basis of their potential to increase relative proportions of wildlife fecal contamination in surface water. The present study suggests that mitigating livestock fecal pollution in surface water in this region would likely reduce human infection risks associated with Cryptosporidium and other zoonotic pathogens.     

Predicting occurrence of the fungal symbiote Harpella colonizing black fly larvae in coastal streams of Alabama and Mississippi, USA

The environmental conditions governing symbioses are poorly known in aquatic systems. Stream conditions associated with the distribution of the black fly (Simuliidae) midgut symbiote Harpella were investigated in southern Alabama and Mississippi streams. Stream conditions that were most useful in predicting the distribution of Harpella spp. in the study area were dissolved oxygen and water temperature. Presence of Harpella species in streams was associated with higher dissolved oxygen and decreased water temperature compared to streams where Harpella spp. was absent. Stream conditions associated with the distribution of Harpella spp. in other regions of the world vary according to conditions other than those elucidated here, indicating that geography, host species, and stream conditions play important roles in the spatial distribution of Harpella species.     

Diverse Wild Bird Host Range of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in Eastern North America

Emerging infectious diseases often result from pathogens jumping to novel hosts. Identifying possibilities and constraints on host transfer is therefore an important facet of research in disease ecology. Host transfers can be studied for the bacterium Mycoplasma gallisepticum, predominantly a pathogen of poultry until its 1994 appearance and subsequent epidemic spread in a wild songbird, the house finch Haemorhous mexicanus and some other wild birds. We screened a broad range of potential host species for evidence of infection by M. gallisepticum in order to answer 3 questions: (1) is there a host phylogenetic constraint on the likelihood of host infection (house finches compared to other bird species); (2) does opportunity for close proximity (visiting bird feeders) increase the likelihood of a potential host being infected; and (3) is there seasonal variation in opportunity for host jumping (winter resident versus summer resident species). We tested for pathogen exposure both by using PCR to test for the presence of M. gallisepticum DNA and by rapid plate agglutination to test for the presence of antibodies. We examined 1,941 individual birds of 53 species from 19 avian families. In 27 species (15 families) there was evidence for exposure with M. gallisepticum although conjunctivitis was very rare in non-finches. There was no difference in detection rate between summer and winter residents, nor between feeder birds and species that do not come to feeders. Evidence of M. gallisepticum infection was found in all species for which at least 20 individuals had been sampled. Combining the present results with those of previous studies shows that a diverse range of wild bird species may carry or have been exposed to M. gallisepticum in the USA as well as in Europe and Asia.     

Susceptibility and resistance of the rock crab,Cancer irroratus,to natural and experimental bacterial infection

The incidence of naturally occuring bacterial infection in a Connecticut population of rock crab, Cancer irroratus, varied between 10 and 60% of the population. The fluctuation in incidence was correlated significantly with hemocyte concentrations. Twelve percent of the crabs sampled during Jenuary were found to be infected with a previously undescribed Vibrio. The Vibrio was demonstrated as pathogenic over a wide range of temperatures. High mortalities in experimentally infected crabs appear to result from hemocyte clumping and extensive intravascular clotting triggered by an endotoxin. The lobster pathogen, Aerococcus viridans var. homari, was found to be pathogenic at 25°C to C. irroratus, a prey species of the lobster. Results suggest that this species can act as a reservior host for A. viridans var. homari.     

Cospeciation of Psyllids and Their Primary Prokaryotic Endosymbionts

Psyllids are plant sap-feeding insects that harbor prokaryotic endosymbionts in specialized cells within the body cavity. Four-kilobase DNA fragments containing 16S and 23S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) were amplified from the primary (P) endosymbiont of 32 species of psyllids representing three psyllid families and eight subfamilies. In addition, 0.54-kb fragments of the psyllid nuclear gene wingless were also amplified from 26 species. Phylogenetic trees derived from 16S-23S rDNA and from the host wingless gene are very similar, and tests of compatibility of the data sets show no significant conflict between host and endosymbiont phylogenies. This result is consistent with a single infection of a shared psyllid ancestor and subsequent cospeciation of the host and the endosymbiont. In addition, the phylogenies based on DNA sequences generally agreed with psyllid taxonomy based on morphology. The 3′ end of the 16S rDNA of the P endosymbionts differs from that of other members of the domain Bacteria in the lack of a sequence complementary to the mRNA ribosome binding site. The rate of sequence change in the 16S-23S rDNA of the psyllid P endosymbiont was considerably higher than that of other bacteria, including other fast-evolving insect endosymbionts. The lineage consisting of the P endosymbionts of psyllids was given the designation Candidatus Carsonella (gen. nov.) with a single species, Candidatus Carsonella ruddii (sp. nov.).