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Wolbachia enigma: Playing peekaboo with a master manipulator
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  • Monika Mioduchowska,
  • Edyta Konecka,
  • Bartłomiej Gołdyn,
  • Tom Pinceel,
  • Luc Brendonck,
  • Dunja Lukić,
  • Łukasz Kaczmarek,
  • Tadeusz Namiotko,
  • Katarzyna Zając,
  • Tadeusz Zając,
  • Jan Jastrzębski,
  • Krzysztof Bartoszek
Monika Mioduchowska
University of Lodz Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Edyta Konecka
Adam Mickiewicz University
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Bartłomiej Gołdyn
Adam Mickiewicz University
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Tom Pinceel
KU Leuven
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Luc Brendonck
KU Leuven
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Dunja Lukić
University of Innsbruck
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Łukasz Kaczmarek
Adam Mickiewicz University
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Tadeusz Namiotko
University of Gdansk
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Katarzyna Zając
Polish Academy of Sciences Cracow Branch
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Tadeusz Zając
Polish Academy of Sciences Cracow Branch
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Jan Jastrzębski
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn
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Krzysztof Bartoszek
Linköping University
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Abstract

The infamous “master manipulators” – intracellular bacteria from the genus Wolbachia – infect a broad range of phylogenetically diverse hosts in terrestrial ecosystems. Wolbachia have important impacts on the ecology and evolution of their hosts with documented effects including induced parthenogenesis, male killing, feminization, and cytoplasmic incompatibility. On the other hand, data on Wolbachia infection in non-terrestrial invertebrates is scarce. Sampling bias and methodological limitations are among the reasons we are unable to detect these bacteria in aquatic organisms. Here we presented a metabarcoding method to detect the co-occurrence of different Wolbachia strains in new, to science, host species: water bears (Tardigrada), freshwater arthropods, and mollusks. In addition, we describe a new Wolbachia strain (supergroup V) and identify a very widespread supergroup A. This supergroup could indicate transinfection and Wolbachia abilities to switch hosts within new environmental conditions, and between hosts that are ecologically connected. Future research should focus on ecological and evolutionary relationships between a new host species and the “master manipulator”.