Variations in the identity and complexity of endosymbiont combinations in whitefly hosts

Abstract

The target of natural selection is suggested to be the holobiont - the organism together with its associated symbiotic microorganisms. The well-defined endosymbiotic communities of insects make them a useful model for exploring the role of symbiotic interactions in shaping the functional repertoire of plants and animals. Here, we studied the variations in the symbiotic communities of the sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) by compiling a dataset of over 2000 individuals derived from several independent screenings. The secondary endosymbionts harbored by each individual were clustered into entities termed Facultative Endosymbiont Combinations (FECs), each representing a natural assemblage of co-occurring bacterial genera. The association of FECs with whitefly individuals stratified the otherwise homogeneous population into holobiont units. We both identified bacterial assemblages that are specific to whitefly groups sharing unique genetic backgrounds, and characterized the FEC variations within these groups. The analysis revealed that FEC complexity is positively correlated with both distance from the equator and specificity of the genetic clade of the host insect. These findings highlight the importance of symbiotic combinations in shaping the distribution patterns of B. tabaci and possibly other insect species.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of endosymbiont genera reveals novel infection patterns in a tomato-infesting Bemisia tabaci population from Brazil

“…It is important to note that in Israel, Wolbachia association with bacteriocytes was found in B. tabaci MED Q individuals, but it was not found in MEAM 1 samples . Moreover, Zchori-Fein et al (2014) studied the variations in the symbiotic communities of B. tabaci over 2000 individuals from independent screenings. In this analysis, Wolbachia was again not detected in MEAM 1 individuals.…”

“…Endosymbionts are organisms that live within other organisms establishing distinct types of interactions with their hosts (Buchner 1965;Moran and Baumann 1994). In fact, whiteflies and other groups of insects house a diversified bacterial community (Baumann et al 1993;Chiel et al 2007;ZchoriFein and Brown 2002;Zchori-Fein et al 2014), which includes the widespread obligate (primary) endosymbiont "Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum" (here referred to as "Ca. Portiera") and so far seven secondary (facultative) endosymbiont genera viz.…”

Feeding Biology and Nutritional Physiology of Psylloidea(Insecta:Hemiptera):Implications in Host-Plant Relations

“…Carsonella) and at least one other secondary endosymbiont, the latter meant to compensate for Carsonella genome reduction 45 . Such an association is unique, because the Psylloidea feed on a nutritionally imbalanced diet, which is deficient in essential amino acids, vitamins, and lipids 46,47 . The obligate endosymbiotic bacteria (e.g.…”

“…Ca. Carsonella) live in specialized cellsthe bacteriocytes -constituting a 'new' functional system, 'the bacteriome', confined to the haemocoel 47 . The bacteriocytes provide space and nourishment to the endosymbiotic bacteria.…”

Intra- and inter-species interactions in microbial communities

“…They show how diverse microbial taxonomic groups change in time, such that complete degradation is the results of their synergistic activity. Gathering an impressive dataset, Freilich and co-authors (Zchori-Fein et al, 2014) studied variations in the bacterial symbiotic communities of the sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Compiling a dataset of over 2000 individuals derived from several independent screenings, the dataset is unprecedented in number of individuals as well as the geographical range and habitat diversity.…”