Molecular Characterization of Wolbachia and its phage WO in the laboratory populations of Drosophila

Abstract

Wolbachia are a group of maternally inherited intracellular rickettsial α-proteobacteria, infecting wide range of arthropods and filarial nematodes. They infect around 66% of arthropods and impose various fitness related effects in their host populations to enhance their transmission. In the current study, four out of eight laboratory populations of Drosophila has been found positive for Wolbachia and its phage WO through PCR diagnostics. Four populations of D. ananassae were infected with wRiv strain of Wolbachia and its phage, while other four D. melanogaster populations do not have either of them. Further, phylogenetic characterization of Wolbachia and phage WO from D.rnananassae indicates close relationship across other Drosophila species, suggesting possible horizontal transmission.