Interspecific horizontal Wolbachia transmission in action
Interspecific horizontal Wolbachia transmission in action
Disciplines
Biology (40%); Agriculture and Forestry, Fishery (60%)
Keywords
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Rhagoletis,
Wolbachia,
Horizontal Transmission,
Invasive Species
Many animals harbor symbiotic microorganisms inside their body. They are especially abundant in insects. The most common endosymbiont is Wolbachia. This bacterium can influence the reproduction of its host to its own advantage facilitating its vertical transmission. Unlike other endosymbionts, Wolbachia usually does not show coevolution with its host suggesting that the bacteria can switch horizontally between insect species. However, examples of the occurrence of horizontal transmission and subsequent spread in field populations are scarce. The eastern cherry fruit fly Rhagoletis cingulata is an important economic pest species infesting cherries species in its native range in North America. It was recently introduced to Europe were it co- infests cherries with the native European cherry fruit fly Rhagoletis cerasi. The shared habitat of the two insect species resulted in the horizontal transmission of a Wolbachia strain from R. cerasi to R. cingulata. Additionally specific R. cerasi populations are infected by a Wolbachia strain that is present in R. cingulata. Thus, the two fruit fly species provide a unique opportunity to resolve the dynamics of a horizontal transfer of Wolbachia in nature. Our research objective will be accomplished by five-component strategy. First, we will sequence and compare the whole genome of different Wolbachia strains to precisely characterize the identities and relatedness of different Wolbachia strains. Second, we will specifically survey Wolbachia in invasive R. cingulata populations in Europe and trace the spatial and temporal distribution of the newly acquired endosymbiont in natural populations. Third, we will test for reproductive effects on their hosts through laboratory crosses. Forth, we will determine the introduction routes of R. cingulata performing extensive genomic characterization of native and invasive fly populations. Fifth, we will investigate the interaction of different Wolbachia strains within the host fly by comparing the density of strains in single and double infected flies. Taken together, our joint study of Wolbachia and its native and invasive Rhagoletis hosts will provide novel insights into the early stages of Wolbachia transmission, the spread of the endosymbiont in nature and the consequences of the new infection for the fly.
Interspecific horizontal Wolbachia transmission in action Many animals harbor symbiotic microorganisms inside their body. They are especially abundant in insects. The most common endosymbiont is Wolbachia. This bacterium can influence the reproduction of its host to its own advantage facilitating its vertical transmission. Unlike other endosymbionts, Wolbachia usually does not show coevolution with its host suggesting that the bacteria can switch horizontally between insect species. However, examples of the occurrence of horizontal transmission and subsequent spread in field populations are scarce. Here, we studied two species of cherry fruit flies, Rhagoletis cerasi and R. cingulata. R. cerasi is native to Europe, while R. cingulata is native to North America but has become invasive in Europe. The shared habitat of the two insect species resulted in the horizontal transmission of a Wolbachia strain from R. cerasi to R. cingulata. Additionally specific R. cerasi populations are infected by a Wolbachia strain that is present in R. cingulata. Thus, the two fruit fly species provide a unique opportunity to resolve the dynamics of a horizontal transfer of Wolbachia in nature. Here we re-investigated the Wolbachia acquisition through horizontal transfer in natural field populations and studied its possible influence on invasive fly species' reproductive success and population dynamics. First, we performed whole genome sequencing on different Wolbachia strains in cherry flies in Europe and North America to determine if they are genetically identical. Second, we investigated the distribution of Wolbachia strains in cherry fly populations to resolve the history and dynamics of horizontal transfer events. Third, we studied the phenotypic effects of the newly acquired Wolbachia strain in cherry fly crossing experiments and assess whether it is associated with cytoplasmic incompatibility or other fitness effects. Forth, we aimed to investigate the introduction history of R. cingulata through surveys of fly populations in Europe and North America. And firth, we usined a quantitative PCR strategy to study potential strain interactions within the new fly hosts. The outcomes of our joint study of Wolbachia and its native and invasive Rhagoletis hosts provides novel insights into the early stages of Wolbachia transmission, the spread of the endosymbiont in nature and the consequences of the new infection for the fly.
Research Output
- 122 Citations
- 13 Publications
- 1 Methods & Materials
- 2 Datasets & models
- 10 Disseminations
- 7 Scientific Awards
- 1 Fundings
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2024
Title Speciation, Process of; In: Encyclopedia of Biodiversity DOI 10.1016/b978-0-12-822562-2.00025-6 Type Book Chapter Publisher Elsevier -
2021
Title Genomically correlated trait combinations and antagonistic selection contributing to counterintuitive genetic patterns of adaptive diapause divergence in Rhagoletis flies DOI 10.1111/jeb.13952 Type Journal Article Author Calvert M Journal Journal of Evolutionary Biology Pages 146-163 -
2021
Title Testing the potential contribution of Wolbachia to speciation when cytoplasmic incompatibility becomes associated with host-related reproductive isolation DOI 10.1111/mec.16157 Type Journal Article Author Bruzzese D Journal Molecular Ecology Pages 2935-2950 Link Publication -
2020
Title Population genetics of the brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys in the early phase of invasion in South Tyrol (Northern Italy) DOI 10.1017/s0007485320000553 Type Journal Article Author Schuler H Journal Bulletin of Entomological Research Pages 394-401 Link Publication -
2020
Title Evidence for spatial clines and mixed geographic modes of speciation for North American cherry-infesting Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae) flies DOI 10.1002/ece3.6667 Type Journal Article Author Doellman M Journal Ecology and Evolution Pages 12727-12744 Link Publication -
2020
Title Identification of Plant DNA in Adults of the Phytoplasma Vector Cacopsylla picta Helps Understanding Its Feeding Behavior DOI 10.3390/insects11120835 Type Journal Article Author Barthel D Journal Insects Pages 835 Link Publication -
2020
Title Wolbachia-Mitochondrial DNA Associations in Transitional Populations of Rhagoletis cerasi DOI 10.3390/insects11100675 Type Journal Article Author Bakovic V Journal Insects Pages 675 Link Publication -
2022
Title First report of the American eastern cherry fruit fly Rhagoletis cingulata (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Lithuania DOI 10.3391/bir.2022.11.4.08 Type Journal Article Author Wolfe T Journal BioInvasions Records Pages 893-899 Link Publication -
2021
Title Comparative genome sequencing reveals insights into the dynamics of Wolbachia in native and invasive cherry fruit flies DOI 10.1111/mec.15923 Type Journal Article Author Wolfe T Journal Molecular Ecology Pages 6259-6272 Link Publication -
2019
Title The Apennines as a cryptic Pleistocene refugium of the bark beetle Pityogenes chalcographus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) DOI 10.1093/biolinnean/blz012 Type Journal Article Author Schebeck M Journal Biological Journal of the Linnean Society Pages 24-33 Link Publication -
2019
Title Dynamics of an Ongoing Wolbachia Spread in the European Cherry Fruit Fly, Rhagoletis cerasi (Diptera: Tephritidae) DOI 10.3390/insects10060172 Type Journal Article Author Schebeck M Journal Insects Pages 172 Link Publication -
2019
Title Geographic and Ecological Dimensions of Host Plant-Associated Genetic Differentiation and Speciation in the Rhagoletis cingulata (Diptera: Tephritidae) Sibling Species Group DOI 10.3390/insects10090275 Type Journal Article Author Doellman M Journal Insects Pages 275 Link Publication -
2019
Title Host plant-related genomic differentiation in the European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi DOI 10.1111/mec.15239 Type Journal Article Author Bakovic V Journal Molecular Ecology Pages 4648-4666 Link Publication
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2021
Title Data and scripts of Wolfe et al. 2021 DOI 10.5061/dryad.p8cz8w9pz Type Database/Collection of data Public Access -
2019
Link
Title Data from: Host plant-related genomic differentiation in the European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi (L., 1758) (Diptera: Tephritidae) DOI 10.5061/dryad.8c1g8jf Type Database/Collection of data Public Access Link Link
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2021
Title Schuler H 2021 Auch Insekten haben eine Darmflora - Spannende Geschichten zu Symbiose, Konkurrenz und Manipulation zwischen Insekten und Mikroorganismen. Naturmuseum Bozen-Bolzano - Invited talk. Type A talk or presentation -
2022
Title Organization of a course about insects at the Kinderuni Type Participation in an activity, workshop or similar -
2023
Title Schuler H 2023 Insekten und deren Mikroorganismen - Geschichten von Symbiosen mit Dr. Jekyll und Mr. Hyde, Vortragsreihe Plattform Biodiversität, Naturmuseum Bozen - Invited talk. Type A talk or presentation -
2019
Title Seminar series (3 units) at the Radio Uni, Rai Südtirol with the topic "Invasive species, a new challenge for the future agriculture and forestry in South Tyrol" Type A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview -
2021
Title Invasive Schädlinge, eine neue Gefahr für die Südtiroler Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Realgymnasium "Albert Einstein" Meran, 31.03.2022 Type A talk or presentation -
2021
Title Pflanzen schützen? Seminar about plant protection, Wirtschaftsfachoberschule "Franz Kafka" Meran, 25.03.2021 Type A talk or presentation -
2022
Title Seminar series (3 units) at the Radio Uni, Rai Südtirol with the topic "Plant protection - protection of plants?". 19.02.-05.03.2022. Type A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview -
2020
Title Course guidance service for the high school senior classes at the Oberschule für Landwirtschaft, Auer Type A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue -
2023
Title Invasive Schädlinge, eine neue Gefahr für die Südtiroler Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Fachoberschule für Obst- Wein und Gartenbau Laimburg, 13.03.2023 Type A talk or presentation -
2019
Title Organization of a student excursion for Oberschule für Landwirtschaft at the UniBZ, 21.03.2019 Type Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
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2023
Title Keynote speaker XII International congress of Entomology Type Personally asked as a key note speaker to a conference Level of Recognition Continental/International -
2022
Title Member of Euphresco Type Awarded honorary membership, or a fellowship, of a learned society Level of Recognition Continental/International -
2022
Title Member of an EIP Agri Focus group Type Awarded honorary membership, or a fellowship, of a learned society Level of Recognition Continental/International -
2022
Title Invited talk Population ecology lab, Poznan Type Personally asked as a key note speaker to a conference Level of Recognition National (any country) -
2021
Title Editor Communications Biology Type Appointed as the editor/advisor to a journal or book series Level of Recognition Continental/International -
2021
Title Scientific Advisory Board, Journal of Applied Entomology Type Appointed as the editor/advisor to a journal or book series Level of Recognition Continental/International -
2019
Title Topic Editor Type Appointed as the editor/advisor to a journal or book series Level of Recognition Continental/International
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2022
Title Dynamics of Wolbachia Spread in Rhagoletis cerasi Type Research grant (including intramural programme) Start of Funding 2022 Funder Austrian Science Fund (FWF)