One strain may hide another: Cryptic male-killing Wolbachia

Abstract

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. While heritable symbionts are common in insects, strains that act as male-killers are considered rare. This Primer explores a new study in PLOS Biology which reveals a novel male-killer hidden by co-infection and host resistance, highlighting the complexity of host-microbial interactions in natural systems.