User:Atrinh6/sandbox

Selected article: Drosophila innubila

I would like to contribute more information on the symbiotic relationship between Drosophila innubila and Wolbachia. It seems that bacterial density plays a notable role? It's interesting that it is an epigenetic and heritable trait. I would also like to address the DiNV and its effects on Drosophila innubila in more detail.

2019-05-05: ''added citations; added information on the effects of male-killing Wolbachia on female offspring and some more details on the symbiotic relationship... included factors that affect bacterial density''

Added:

The association between Drosophila innubila and Wolbachia can vary greatly within local populations. However, their relationship is very consistent across the overall Drosophila innubila species.[4]

Bacterial density varies among females and appears to be both an epigenetic and heritable trait, as females with less Wolbachia present in their systems produce daughters with a below-average bacterial density. As a result, among the offspring of these daughters, less severe male-killing is observed.[5] There is no evidence that a Wolbachia infection can be transmitted horizontally from an infected female fly to an uninfected female fly.[6]

Infected sons are less likely to die from Wolbachia infection if their mother possessed a smaller bacterial density.[5] It is speculated that the bacterial density of Wolbachia inside a host can vary, depending on the antibiotic activity of larval or adult food sources, possible host defense mechanisms, the age of the host, bacterial interactions within the host, as well as the environmental conditions that the fly experiences.[5] Currently, there is no evidence for a mechanism in Drosophila innubila that suppresses or inhibits the male-killing effect of Wolbachia.[5]

The presence of a Wolbachia infection can increase the fitness of a female fly by increasing her size and enhancing her fertility.[6] Moreover, the D. innubila DNA virus "DiNV" is a common viral infection amongst this species.[7]

Edits Following Peer Review
Om suggested to expand on the "unknowns" addressed at the end of certain paragraphs. I want to add to the end of this paragraph:

"Additionally, an unknown factor contributes to increased fitness benefits of Wolbachia infection.[6] The presence of a Wolbachia infection can increase the fitness of a female fly by increasing her size and enhancing her fertility.[6] Moreover, the D. innubila DNA virus "DiNV" is a common viral infection amongst this species.[7] It has been shown that certain Wolbachia can protect their hosts against viral infection, even leading to biocontrol strategies that use Wolbachia infection to suppress the spread of viral diseases.[8] What role (if any) Wolbachia plays in defense against viruses is unclear."

Edit:

However, other studies that investigated the contribution of Wolbachia infection to the fitness of Drosophila species suggested that the bacteria can enhance survival of its host in the presence of oxidative stressors as well as prevent other pathogens from infecting the host by outcompeting them for host-derived resources like cholesterol. In addition, it is also suspected that Wolbachia may also be able to manipulate the expression of its host's DNA through utilization of host microRNA.