Cruisin’ in the Bat-mobile: Coevolution of S-Symbiont Arsenophonus spp. in Batflies (Diptera: Streblidae)

Authors

Richard E. Trowbridge, Brigham Young University
Dr. Michael F. Whiting, Brigham Young University

Keywords

endosymbiont, batflies, Diptera streblidae, Arsenophonus

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

Abstract

Symbiotic relationships between bacteria and insect hosts are common, with more than ten percent of insect species relying upon intracellular bacteria for their development and survival (Braendle 2003). These symbionts can stem from an obligatory association [primary (P-) endosymbionts], involving a number of properties (e.g. localization within special host cells; close concordance of the evolutionary trees of endosymbiont and host species). Besides P-endosymbionts, most bacteria contain a heterogeneous assemblage of bacteria called secondary (S-) endosymbionts. Usually, evolutionary trees of S-endosymbionts show little congruence to host trees, which is often interpreted as the result of independent horizontal transmissions. However, some evidence suggests that there have been exceptions where secondary symbionts have coevolved (Fukatsu 2001). Little is known about the role of insect S-endosymbionts, and the boundaries between secondary symbionts and certain parasites are difficult to define.

Recommended Citation

Trowbridge, Richard E. and Whiting, Dr. Michael F. (2013) "Cruisin’ in the Bat-mobile: Coevolution of S-Symbiont Arsenophonus spp. in Batflies (Diptera: Streblidae)," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1030.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1030