Vertically transmitted reproductive parasites are both extraordinarily widespread and diverse in their effects on their invertebrate hosts. In addition to causing skewed population sex ratios via male-killing or feminization, such bacteria can further cause cytoplasmic incompatibility or parthenogenesis. Microbes such as Wolbachia and Spiroplasma are common in some dipteran families (e.g. Drosophilidae or Scathophagidae) and are known to be heritable symbionts that can affect reproduction. In stark contrast, there is little information on Rickettsia or Cardinium infections and even less is known about endosymbiont infections across species.

In previous studies, we surveyed more than 300 samples of approx. 250 species of flies belonging to the 3 different families (Dolichopodidae, Empididae and Hybotidae) for the presence of the above mentioned endosymbionts and nearly 60% of all species harboured one or more symbionts. Now, we are extending our study beyond Diptera, to species from mulitple insect orders (including Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Odonata and Hymenoptera) with a special focus on Singaporean fauna.

Insertation of Wolbachia genome into host genome. Image credit: Nicolle Rager Fuller, National Science Foundation

Relevant publications
Martin, O.Y., N. Puniamoorthy, A. Gubler, C. Wimmer, C. Germann and M.V. Bernasconi. 2013. Infections with the microbe Cardinium in the Dolichopodidae and other Empidoidea (Diptera). Journal of Insect Science  13:47. DOI: 10.1673/031.031.4701 

Martin, O.Y., N. Puniamoorthy, A. Gubler, C. Wimmer and M.V. Bernasconi. Infections with Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and Rickettsia in the Dolichopodidae and other Empidoidea. 2013. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 13:317-330. DOI: 10.1016/jmeegid.2012.11.005.