Distribution of the Primary Endosymbiont (Candidatus Uzinura Diaspidicola) Within Host Insects from the Scale Insect Family Diaspididae

Insects

Matthew E. Gruwell¹  Meghan Flarhety² 

[1] Penn State Erie, School of Science. P-1 Prischak Building, 4205 College Drive, Erie, PA 16563, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: in-situ hybridization;    endosymbiont;    Uzinura;   

DOI  :  10.3390/insects3010262

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.