Recapitulating the evolution of symbioses in firebugs
Evolution, Anthropology
Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology
Systematics and Morphology (Zoology)
Final Report Abstract
Several unexpected and exciting results have emerged out of my research. I found unforeseen differences in bacterial symbionts among P. angolensis populations that depends on their food source, Malvaceae or Welwitschia plants. Some of these bacteria, especially the Bartonella and Commensalibacter symbionts, represent new and unstudied phylogenetic lineages that are likely much more widespread than currently understood. I also found that other pyrrhocorids are incapable of feeding on Welwitschia, indicating that P. angolensis possess unique traits (potentially facilitated by their bacterial symbionts) that allow them to feed on these plants. Finally, I found that P. angolensis (and likely other pyrrhocorids) sequester the toxic cyclopropenoic fatty acids (CPFAs) from their diet which are likely used in defense against natural enemies. While unexpected, these developments contribute to the overall goal of the project to “elucidate the evolutionary processes that have influenced diet specialization in Pyrrhocoridae.” More broadly, my research and results help us to understand how insect bacterial symbionts may increase their capacity to rapidly adapting to novel or changing foods and environments. These results may be of particular importance for our understanding of how invasive species are capable of establishing populations upon introduction to new habitats.
Publications
- (2018). Transmission of mutualistic bacteria in social and gregarious insects. Current Opinion in Insect Science
Onchuru, T. O., Martinez, A., Ingham, C. S., & Kaltenpoth, M.
(See online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2018.05.002)
