Interactions Between Endosymbionts <i>Wolbachia</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i> in the Spider Mite <i>Tetranychus turkestani</i>: Cooperation or Antagonism?
Maternally inherited endosymbionts are widespread in arthropods, with multiple symbionts commonly co-existing within a single host, potentially competing for or sharing limited host resources and space. <i>Wolbachia</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i>, two maternally-inherited symbiont...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/3/642 |
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| Summary: | Maternally inherited endosymbionts are widespread in arthropods, with multiple symbionts commonly co-existing within a single host, potentially competing for or sharing limited host resources and space. <i>Wolbachia</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i>, two maternally-inherited symbionts in arthropods, can co-infect hosts, yet research on their combined impacts on host reproduction and interaction remains scarce. <i>Tetranychus turkestani</i> (Acari: Tetranychidae) is an important agricultural pest mite, characterized by rapid reproduction, a short life cycle, and being difficult to control. <i>Wolbachia</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i> are two major endosymbiotic bacteria present in <i>T. turkestani</i>. This study used diverse parthenogenetic backcross and antibiotic screening to explore the reproductive effects of these two symbionts on <i>T. turkestani</i>. The results show that single <i>Rickettsia</i> infection induced male killing in the amphigenesis of <i>T. turkestani</i>, leading to arrhenotokous embryo death and fewer offspring. Single <i>Wolbachia</i> infection induced strong cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). During dual infection, CI intensity decreased because <i>Rickettsia</i>’s male-killing effect antagonized the <i>Wolbachia</i>-induced CI. Dual-infected mites had increased oviposition, lower mortality, a higher female-to-male ratio, and more offspring, thus enhancing <i>T. turkestani</i>’s fitness. These findings will be helpful for understanding the nature of host–endosymbiont interactions and the potential for evolutionary conflicts, offering insights into their co-evolutionary relationship. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-2607 |