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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2025-03-01
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| author | Sha Wang Xinlei Wang Ali Basit Qiancheng Wei Kedi Zhao Yiying Zhao |
| author_facet | Sha Wang Xinlei Wang Ali Basit Qiancheng Wei Kedi Zhao Yiying Zhao |
| author_sort | Sha Wang |
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| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-cb9055aed8224db9823a5c3f0d780c9b2025-08-20T03:43:34ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-03-0113364210.3390/microorganisms13030642Interactions Between Endosymbionts <i>Wolbachia</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i> in the Spider Mite <i>Tetranychus turkestani</i>: Cooperation or Antagonism?Sha Wang0Xinlei Wang1Ali Basit2Qiancheng Wei3Kedi Zhao4Yiying Zhao5College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, ChinaMaternally 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/3/642endosymbionts<i>Rickettsia</i><i>Wolbachia</i>interactions<i>Tetranychus turkestani</i> |
| spellingShingle | Sha Wang Xinlei Wang Ali Basit Qiancheng Wei Kedi Zhao Yiying Zhao Interactions Between Endosymbionts <i>Wolbachia</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i> in the Spider Mite <i>Tetranychus turkestani</i>: Cooperation or Antagonism? Microorganisms endosymbionts <i>Rickettsia</i> <i>Wolbachia</i> interactions <i>Tetranychus turkestani</i> |
| title | Interactions Between Endosymbionts <i>Wolbachia</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i> in the Spider Mite <i>Tetranychus turkestani</i>: Cooperation or Antagonism? |
| title_full | Interactions Between Endosymbionts <i>Wolbachia</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i> in the Spider Mite <i>Tetranychus turkestani</i>: Cooperation or Antagonism? |
| title_fullStr | Interactions Between Endosymbionts <i>Wolbachia</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i> in the Spider Mite <i>Tetranychus turkestani</i>: Cooperation or Antagonism? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interactions Between Endosymbionts <i>Wolbachia</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i> in the Spider Mite <i>Tetranychus turkestani</i>: Cooperation or Antagonism? |
| title_short | Interactions Between Endosymbionts <i>Wolbachia</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i> in the Spider Mite <i>Tetranychus turkestani</i>: Cooperation or Antagonism? |
| title_sort | interactions between endosymbionts i wolbachia i and i rickettsia i in the spider mite i tetranychus turkestani i cooperation or antagonism |
| topic | endosymbionts <i>Rickettsia</i> <i>Wolbachia</i> interactions <i>Tetranychus turkestani</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/3/642 |
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