Modification of Insect and Arachnid Behaviours by Vertically Transmitted Endosymbionts: Infections as Drivers of Behavioural Change and Evolutionary Novelty

Goodacre, Sara L.; Martin, Oliver Y.

doi:10.3390/insects3010246

Cited by 54 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 97 publications

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“…Endosymbionts can dramatically alter the behaviour and reproductive morphology of their host [75]. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that the presence of SGEs more generally can have a dramatic effect on female mating patterns that can influence the mating system, including the degree of multiple mating.…”

Section: Impact Of Selfish Genetic Elements On Reproductive Behavioursmentioning

confidence: 99%

The dynamic relationship between polyandry and selfish genetic elements

Wedell

2013

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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Selfish genetic elements (SGEs) are ubiquitous in eukaryotes and bacteria, and make up a large part of the genome. They frequently target sperm to increase their transmission success, but these manipulations are often associated with reduced male fertility. Low fertility of SGE-carrying males is suggested to promote polyandry as a female strategy to bias paternity against male carriers. Support for this hypothesis is found in several taxa, where SGE-carrying males have reduced sperm competitive ability. In contrast, when SGEs give rise to reproductive incompatibilities between SGE-carrying males and females, polyandry is not necessarily favoured, irrespective of the detrimental impact on male fertility. This is due to the frequency-dependent nature of these incompatibilities, because they will decrease in the population as the frequency of SGEs increases. However, reduced fertility of SGE-carrying males can prevent the successful population invasion of SGEs. In addition, SGEs can directly influence male and female mating behaviour, mating rates and reproductive traits (e.g. female reproductive tract length and male sperm). This reveals a potent and dynamic interaction between SGEs and polyandry highlighting the potential to generate sexual selection and conflict, but also indicates that polyandry can promote harmony within the genome by undermining the spread of SGEs.

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Section: Impact Of Selfish Genetic Elements On Reproductive Behavioursmentioning

confidence: 99%

The dynamic relationship between polyandry and selfish genetic elements

Wedell

2013

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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“…Another area worthy of investigation is what happens when hosts harbor multiple infections (see Table 2). Co-infections with different strains of the same bacterium or different reproductive parasites are known to occur across arthropods (Weeks et al 2003; Zchori-Fein and Perlman 2004; Goodacre et al 2006; Gotoh et al 2006; Duron et al 2008a; Skaljac et al 2010; Goodacre and Martin 2012). This problem has been the focus of theoretical (e.g., Engelstädter et al 2008; Vautrin et al 2008) and empirical study focusing specifically on interactions between Cardinium and the widespread Wolbachia (Gotoh et al 2006; Ros and Breeuwer 2009; White et al 2009; Sirviö and Pamilo 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Maternally inherited reproductive parasites such as Wolbachia, Rickettsia , and Spiroplasma species are known to have profound effects on reproduction and behavior (e.g., Goodacre et al 2009) of their hosts (reviewed in Engelstädter and Hurst 2008; Goodacre and Martin 2012). More recently, a further reproductive parasite, Cardinium hertigii (Bacteroidetes) (Zchori-Fein et al 2004), has been described.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infections with the MicrobeCardiniumin the Dolichopodidae and Other Empidoidea

Martin

Puniamoorthy

Gubler

et al. 2013

Journal of Insect Science

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Maternally transmitted reproductive parasites such as Wolbachia and Cardinium can drastically reshape reproduction in their hosts. Beyond skewing sex ratios towards females, these microbes can also cause cytoplasmic incompatibility. Wolbachia probably infects two thirds of insects, but far less is known about the occurrence or action of other bacteria with potentially similar effects. In contrast with the two more widespread reproductive parasites, Wolbachia and Spiroplasma, far less is known of infections with Cardinium (Bacteroidetes) and possible consequences in the Diptera. Here, in an extensive survey, 244 dipteran species from 67 genera belonging to the Dolichopodidae, Empididae, and Hybotidae were assessed for the presence of the microbe Cardinium. Although 130 of the species screened tested positive (ca. 53%), the presence of Cardinium could only be confirmed in 10 species (ca. 4%) based on analysis of sequences. Numerous additional sequences were found to be assignable to known or unknown Bacteroidetes.Considering the known issues concerning specificity of Cardinium primers and the phylogenetic uncertainties surrounding this microbe, the actual prevalence of this symbiont is worthy of further scrutiny. Potential directions for future research on Cardinium-host interactions in Diptera and in general are discussed.

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“…ants) avoid individuals infected with non-STIs (de Roode and Lefèvre, 2012). In fact, some animals infected with STIs are able to attract even more mating partners than uninfected controls [insects (Knell and Webberley, 2004;Goodacre and Martin, 2012), vertebrates (Dass et al, 2011)]. The popularity of mates infected with STIs is surprising as animals are typically very sensitive to the state of a prospective mate's health, and avoid mating with conspecifics with contagious diseases (Able, 1996).…”

Section: Research Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

A viral aphrodisiac in the cricket Gryllus texensis

Adamo

Kovalko

Easy

et al. 2014

Journal of Experimental Biology

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We identified the insect iridovirus IIV-6/CrIV as a pathogen of the cricket Gryllus texensis using electron microscopy (EM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. EM showed that the virus attacks the fat body, an organ important for protein production, immune function and lipid storage. During infection the fat body hypertrophied, but egg production withered, leaving the lateral oviducts empty of eggs; the females were effectively sterile. EM of the testis of infected males suggests that the testis was not invaded by the virus, although sperm taken from the spermatophores of infected males showed little or no motility. Nevertheless, males and females continued to mate when infected. In fact, infected males were quicker to court females than uninfected controls. The virus benefits from the continued sexual behaviour of its host; transmission studies show that the virus can be spread through sexual contact. Sickness behaviour, the adaptive reduction of feeding and sexual behaviour that is induced by an activated immune system, was absent in infected crickets. Total haemolymph protein was reduced, as was phenoloxidase activity, suggesting a reduction in immune protein production by the fat body. The evidence suggests that during IIV-6/CrIV infection, the immune signal(s) that induces sickness behaviour is absent. Curtailment of a host's sickness behaviour may be necessary for any pathogen that is spread by host sexual behaviour.

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Modification of Insect and Arachnid Behaviours by Vertically Transmitted Endosymbionts: Infections as Drivers of Behavioural Change and Evolutionary Novelty

Cited by 54 publications

References 97 publications

The dynamic relationship between polyandry and selfish genetic elements

The dynamic relationship between polyandry and selfish genetic elements

Infections with the MicrobeCardiniumin the Dolichopodidae and Other Empidoidea

A viral aphrodisiac in the cricket Gryllus texensis

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