Open AccessPhylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA of the cytoplasmic bacterium Wolbachia from the novel host Folsomia candida (Hexapoda, Collembola) and its implications for wolbachial taxonomy 1
Author(s) -
Vandekerckhove Tom T.M.,
Watteyne Stephanie,
Willems Anne,
Swings Jean G.,
Mertens Johan,
Gillis Monique
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1999.tb08807.x
Subject(s) - wolbachia , biology , 16s ribosomal rna , taxonomy (biology) , host (biology) , phylogenetic tree , hexapoda , phylogenetics , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , ecology , genetics , gene
Wolbachia pipientis are intracellular, transovarially inherited α‐Proteobacteria in invertebrates. Four major Wolbachia groups exist: A, B (contained in divergent arthropods), C and D (harbored by Nematoda). By means of transmission electron microscopy, we observed Wolbachia ‐like bacteria in a primitive insect, Folsomia candida (Hexapoda, Collembola, Isotomidae). 16S rDNA analysis proved them to constitute a novel lineage, henceforth named group E, in the wolbachial phylogenetic tree. It shares 97.8% 16S rDNA homology with its nearest neighbors, groups A and B, which diverged from it more recently. We propose (i) a new taxon E for the Wolbachia strain in F. candida , (ii) that the single‐described Wolbachia pipientis fall apart into at least three species: C, D and the large E‐A‐B complex. F. candida 's group E Wolbachia rekindle the question about invasive capacities of free‐living ancestral wolbachiae and horizontal transfer.