PLoS Biology (Mar 2023)

One strain may hide another: Cryptic male-killing Wolbachia.

  • Emily A Hornett,
  • Gregory D D Hurst

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002076
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 21, no. 3
p. e3002076

Abstract

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While heritable symbionts are common in insects, strains that act as male-killers are considered rare. A new study in PLOS Biology identifies a novel male-killer hidden by coinfection and host resistance, highlighting the complexity of host-microbial interactions in natural systems.