Evolutionary ecology of the Drosophila-Spiroplasma association
Maternally-transmitted endosymbiotic bacteria are extremely common in insects and other arthropods. Maternal (vertical) transmission of many insect endosymbionts is imperfect. To ensure their persistence in host populations, many endosymbionts rely on reproductive manipulation (e.g. male killing) or confer fitness benefits to their hosts (e.g. defensive mutualism). Our lab has two main foci in this regard:
Defensive mutualism (Spiroplasma protection against parasitic wasps)
• Mechanism
• Ecology
• Evolution
Comparative Genomics
Spiroplasma phage
Video below shows Spiroplasma in a drop of fly hemolymph (under dark field)
Images below taken by Paulino Ramirez of mixes of Spiroplasma MSRO with other strains that resulted in the "clumping" phenomenon. Spiroplasma labeled with Syto-9. Why this happens is a mystery.
Other insect-endosymbiont associations
Association between the fruit pest flies in the genus Anastrepha (Tephritidae), the “real fruit flies”, and Wolbachia, and the potential use of endosymbiotic bacteria in pest control.
Comparative genomics of Wolbachia