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Effects of elimination of Wolbachia on oogenesis of the uzifly Exorista sorbillans , a parasitoid of the silkworm Bombyx mori
Author(s) -
PUTTARAJU Hosagavi Puttegowda,
PRAKASH Bandekodigenahalli Marappa
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
entomological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 20
eISSN - 1748-5967
pISSN - 1738-2297
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-5967.2009.00246.x
Subject(s) - biology , wolbachia , cytoplasmic incompatibility , fecundity , bombyx mori , vitellogenesis , oocyte , ovariole , oogenesis , parasitoid , zoology , botany , host (biology) , genetics , larva , embryo , population , demography , sociology , gene
Maternally inherited bacteria of the genus Wolbachia are known to affect the physiology and reproduction of several arthropod and nematode hosts. This paper presents the effects of using tetracycline to eliminate Wolbachia on the oogenesis of its host uzifly Exorista sorbillans (Diptera: Tachinidae), a parasitoid of silkworm Bombyx mori L. Earlier we reported cytoplasmic incompatibility, nucleo‐cytoplasmic conflict, male biased sex ratio and reduction in fecundity upon curing of Wolbachia infection using an antibiotic. This paper presents the abnormal growth and proliferation of oocytes in the uninfected/cured uziflies. The anomalies include abnormal/arrested oocyte production with inhibition of normal functioning of nurse cell nuclei, malformation and agglutination in egg chambers, empty egg chambers due to arrested vitellogenesis and undeveloped ovarian tubules. These anomalies further lead to reduction in growth of the ovarian tubules, which resulted in a 20% reduction of fecundity. It is hypothesized that normal oocyte production in uzifly requires the infection of Wolbachia bacteria. Further, in the uzifly, infection is at transition stage from a facultative to an obligatory mode of symbiosis. In light of this, this paper discusses the relationship between Wolbachia and oocyte production.