Journal article
Monitoring long-term evolutionary changes following Wolbachia introduction into a novel host: The Wolbachia popcorn infection in Drosophila simulans
LB Carrington, AA Hoffmann, AR Weeks
Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences | Published : 2010
Abstract
Wolbachia may act as a biological control agent for pest management; in particular, the Wolbachia variant ωoMelPop {popcorn) shortens host longevity and may be useful for dengue suppression. However, longterm changes in the host and Wolbachia genomes can alter Wolbachia spread and/or host effects that suppress disease. Here, we investigate the phenotypic effects of wMelPop in a non-native host, Drosophila simulons, following artificial transinfection approximately 200 generations ago. Long-term rearing and maintenance of the bacteria were at 19°C in the original 1-102 genetic background that was transinfected with the popcorn strain. The bacteria were then introgressed into three massbred ba..
View full abstractGrants
Funding Acknowledgements
B. C. would like to thank Clare Doig for help undertaking the experiments. The authors would also like to thank three anonymous reviewers for constructive comments on this manuscript. This research was supported by a grant from the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health through the Grand Challenges in Global Health Initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and funding from the Australian Research Council via their Special Research Center Program. This work was carried out while A. A. H. held an Australian Federation Fellowship and A. R. W. held an Australian Research Fellowship.