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Molecular Characterization of Wolbachia Strains Associated with the Invasive Asian Citrus Psyllid Diaphorina citri in Brazil

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Abstract

Wolbachia is a symbiont intensively studied due to its ability to interfere with their host’s reproduction, and it has been recently proposed as an alternative tool to control insect pests or vectors of diseases. The Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri is an important pest of citrus since it vectors the bacterium that causes the "Huanglongbing" disease in citrus. The frequency and diversity of Wolbachia associated with D. citri is unknown, limiting the utilization of Wolbachia as an alternative strategy for insect management. Thus, we aimed to determine the natural rate of infection, to characterize the Wolbachia strains associated with this psyllid by "multilocus sequencing typing” (MLST) and wsp analysis, and to verify the association of the symbiont to particular genotypes of the host. Analysis indicated Wolbachia infects 100 % of all specimens tested from all 15 sampled populations. MLST revealed the occurrence of five new sequence types (STs) of Wolbachia, while analysis based on the wsp sequences indicated only four different types of Wolbachia. ST-173 was predominant, while the remaining STs were population specific. Analysis of the host–symbiont relationship did not reveal any particular association of Wolbachia and haplotypes or a decrease in nucleotide diversity of D. citri in populations in which more than one ST was recorded. The consequences of the diversity of STs reported are still unknown, but the fact that Wolbachia infection is fixed and that there is one ST with a broad distribution highlights the use of this symbiont as an alternative strategy to control D. citri.

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Acknowledgments

Authors greatly appreciate the support of all of those that contributed in sample collection, especially those from Fundecitrus. We are also in debt with two anonymous reviewers which greatly contributed to improve the initial version of this manuscript. Thanks also to Fundecitrus, CNPq/MAPA (578797-2008/9) and FAPESP (process 2004/14215-0) for providing funds for this research.

This manuscript was reviewed by a professional science editor and by a native English-speaking copy editor to improve readability.

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  1. Insect Interactions Lab., Department of Entomology and Acarology, ESALQ, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias 11, Piracicaba, São Paulo, CEP 13418-900, Brazil

    A. S. Guidolin & F. L. Cônsoli

  2. Department of Entomology and Acarology, ESALQ, University of São Paulo, CP 9, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil

    F. L. Cônsoli

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  1. A. S. Guidolin
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Guidolin, A.S., Cônsoli, F.L. Molecular Characterization of Wolbachia Strains Associated with the Invasive Asian Citrus Psyllid Diaphorina citri in Brazil. Microb Ecol 65, 475–486 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-012-0150-7

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