Wolbachiainfections and superinfections in cytoplasmically incompatible populations of the European cherry fruit flyRhagoletis cerasi(Diptera, Tephritidae)

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-294x.2002.01614.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-12T10:44:36Z
• Authors: Markus Riegler; Christian Stauffer
• Keywords: Cytoplasmic incompatibility; Rhagoletis; Prophage

Abstract Wolbachia is an obligately intracellular, maternally inherited bacterium which has been detected in many arthropods. infections disperse host populations by mechanisms such as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). CI leads to embryonic mortality occurs when infected males mate with uninfected females or a different strain. Populations of the European cherry fruit fly Rhagoletis cerasi (Diptera, Tephritidae) were found be two strains, w Cer1 and Cer2. Superinfections both strains occurred throughout southern central Europe northern, western eastern Europe. Strong unidirectional between R. first reported 1970s. From conformity recent geographical distribution expression patterns 25 years ago it was deduced that Cer2 potentially causes . The comparison distributions indicated + 2 must have spread into Cer1‐infected some areas. In other regions, probably prevented dispersal barriers. There, sharp transition from superinfected suggested regional isolation 2‐infected populations.