Strict Host-Symbiont Cospeciation and Reductive Genome Evolution in Insect Gut Bacteria
2006
Gut Bacteria Cospeciating with Insects
Sample size: 12
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Takahiro Hosokawa, Takema Fukatsu, Nikoh N, Shimada M, Fukatsu T
Hypothesis
Do gut symbionts of plataspid stinkbugs cospeciate with their insect hosts?
Conclusion
The study provides evidence that gut symbionts of plataspid stinkbugs have a shared evolutionary history with their hosts.
Supporting Evidence
- The phylogenetic tree of the stinkbugs perfectly agreed with the phylogenetic relationships of the gut symbionts.
- Adults lacking symbionts showed developmental delays and failed to reproduce.
- The gut symbionts share unique genetic traits typical of endocellular symbionts.
Takeaway
This study shows that some gut bacteria in stinkbugs are closely related to the bugs themselves, just like some bacteria inside the bugs' cells.
Methodology
The researchers collected stinkbug populations, analyzed the DNA of gut bacteria, and compared phylogenetic relationships.
Participant Demographics
The study involved female plataspid stinkbugs from various locations in Japan.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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