Two non-linked genes for specific virulence of Leptopilina boulardi against Drosophila melanogaster and D. yakuba

The developmental success of Leptopilina boulardi parasitoids within host species of the melanogaster subgroup is determined mainly by their ability to suppress the host immune reaction (virulence). Host resistance and parasitoid virulence are genetically variable in both partners. A gene for specific resistance against L. boulardi (Rlb) has been identified in Drosophila melanogaster, and a gene for the immune suppression (IS) of D. melanogaster has been identified in L. boulardi. To understand the evolution of the IS gene, we determined its specificity regarding potential hosts of the melanogaster subgroup. It did not affect the virulence against any other species of the melanogaster subgroup and was called ISm for immune suppression of D. melanogaster. Another gene (ISy), non-linked to the gene ISm, was characterized for the specific immune suppression of D. yakuba. These results suggesting that natural selection for virulence against one host species does not influence the evolution of virulence against another will allow us to develop pertinent hypotheses concerning the evolution of this character which is expected to drive the evolution of the parasitoid toward narrow host specialization. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.