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Proc Biol Sci

Title:		Symbiont modifies host life-history traits that affect gene flow
Author(s):		Leonardo TE; Mondor EB;
Address:		"Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, NJ 08544, USA. teresal@princeton.edu"
Journal Title:		Proc Biol Sci
Year:		2006
Volume:		273
Issue:		1590
Page Number:		1079 - 1084
DOI:		10.1098/rspb.2005.3408
ISSN/ISBN:		0962-8452 (Print) 1471-2954 (Electronic) 0962-8452 (Linking)
Abstract:		"The evolution of herbivore-host plant specialization requires low levels of gene flow between populations on alternate plant species. Accordingly, selection for host plant specialization is most effective when genotypes have minimal exposure to, and few mating opportunities with individuals from, alternate habitats. Maternally transmitted bacterial symbionts are common in insect herbivores and can influence host fecundity under a variety of conditions. Symbiont-mediated effects on host life-history strategies, however, are largely unknown. Here, we show that the facultative bacterial symbiont Candidatus Regiella insecticola strikingly alters both dispersal and mating in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Pea aphids containing Regiella produced only half the number of winged offspring in response to crowding and, for two out of three aphid lineages, altered the timing of sexual reproduction in response to conditions mimicking seasonal changes, than did aphids lacking Regiella. These symbiont-associated changes in dispersal and mating are likely to have played a key role in the initiation of genetic differentiation and in the evolution of pea aphid-host plant specialization. As symbionts are widespread in insects, symbiont-induced life history changes may have promoted specialization, and potentially speciation, in many organisms"
Keywords:		"Adaptation, Biological Animals Aphids/*genetics/microbiology *Bacterial Physiological Phenomena Gene Flow/*physiology Host-Parasite Interactions/*genetics/physiology Reproduction Seasons Sex Ratio Symbiosis/*genetics/physiology Wings, Animal;"
Notes:		"MedlineLeonardo, Teresa E Mondor, Edward B eng Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. England 2006/04/08 Proc Biol Sci. 2006 May 7; 273(1590):1079-84. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2005.3408"