Distribution of the primary endosymbiont (Candidatus Uzinura diaspidicola) within host insects from the scale insect family diaspididae

Matthew E. Gruwell, Meghan Flarhety, Katharina Dittmar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

It has long been known that armored scale insects harbor endosymbiotic bacteria inside specialized cells called bacteriocytes. Originally, these endosymbionts were thought to be fungal symbionts but they are now known to be bacterial and have been named Uzinura diaspidicola. Bacteriocyte and endosymbiont distribution patterns within host insects were visualized using in situ hybridization via 16S rRNA specific probes. Images of scale insect embryos, eggs and adult scale insects show patterns of localized bacteriocytes in embryos and randomly distributed bacteriocytes in adults. The symbiont pocket was not found in the armored scale insect eggs that were tested. The pattern of dispersed bacteriocytes in adult scale insects suggest that Uzinura and Blattabacteria may share some homologous traits that coincide with similar life style requirements, such as dispersal in fat bodies and uric acid recycling.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)262-269
Number of pages8
JournalInsects
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Insect Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Distribution of the primary endosymbiont (Candidatus Uzinura diaspidicola) within host insects from the scale insect family diaspididae'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this