Bacterial Genome Helps Define Species And Evolutionary Relationships In Aphids

Main Category: Genetics
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 10 Sep 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Aphids harbor an obligatory symbiont, Buchnera aphidicola, thoviding essential amino acids not supplied by their diet. Previous studies have suggested that aphids and their endosymbionts have cospeciated.

We validate this hypothesis, at a fine taxonomic scale, i.e. within the aphid genus Brachycaudus. These results imply that Buchnera DNA can provide reliable information on the evolutionary history of their hosts.

This study also highlights the importance of species delimitation methods in cospeciation studies when species are difficult to conceptualize, such as bacteria, but also when the taxonomy of the interacting organisms has not been conducted independently and species definition depends on host association.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences