Strict Host-Symbiont Cospeciation and Genome Evolution in Insect Gut Bacteria
Author Information
Author(s): Hosokawa Takahiro, Kikuchi Yoshitomo, Nikoh Naruo, Shimada Masakazu, Fukatsu Takema
Primary Institution: Institute for Biological Resources and Functions, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
Hypothesis
Can extracellular gut bacteria in stinkbugs exhibit strict host-symbiont cospeciation and reductive genome evolution similar to endocellular symbionts?
Conclusion
The study concludes that the gut symbiotic bacteria are essential for the normal development and reproduction of plataspid stinkbugs.
Supporting Evidence
- The host phylogeny perfectly matched the symbiont phylogeny, indicating strict cospeciation.
- Removal of symbionts led to retarded growth, mortality, and sterility in stinkbugs.
- The symbionts exhibited accelerated molecular evolution and reduced genome size.
- Capsule production for symbiont transmission was observed in all studied plataspid species.
Takeaway
Stinkbugs have special bacteria in their guts that help them grow and reproduce, and these bacteria are passed down from mother to baby in a unique way.
Methodology
The study involved dissection of the posterior midgut of female stinkbugs, DNA extraction, and molecular phylogenetic analysis of the symbiotic bacteria.
Limitations
The study only examined four species from three genera, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on plataspid stinkbugs, specifically examining four species: Megacopta punctatissima, Megacopta cribraria, Brachyplatys subaeneus, and Coptosoma parvipictum.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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