Phylogeny of cytoplasmic incompatibility micro-organisms in the parasitoid wasp genus Nasonia (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) based on 16S ribosomal DNA sequences

Abstract

Cytoplasmic incompatibility results in embryo mortality in diploids, or all male offspring in haplodiploids, when individuals carrying different cytoplasmic factors are crossed. Cytoplasmic factors have been identified as intracellular micro-organisms. Microbe-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility is found in many insect taxa and may play a role in reproductive isolation between populations. Such micro-organisms cause bidirectional incompatibility between species of the parasitoid wasp genus Nasonia. The phylogenetic relationship of cytoplasmic incompatibility microorganisms (CIM) of different Nasonia species was analysed using their 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence. Two 16S rDNA operons were detected in the CIM of each Nasonia species. Sequence analysis indicates that the Nasonia CIM are closely related and belong to the alpha group of the Proteobacteria.