The XVIIIth (New) International Congress of Zoology
Le XVIIIème (Nouveau) Congrès International de Zoologie
Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management- University of Ioannina - Agrinio 30100 and Insect Molecular Genetics Group, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Vassilika Vouton, Heraklion, Crete, PO Box 1527, Greece, bourtzis@imbb.forth.gr
Wolbachia are a group of intracellular maternally inherited bacteria that are able to invade and maintain themselves in an enormous range of invertebrates, including insects, crustaceans, mites, and even nematodes. These bacteria are associated with a number of reproductive alterations including induction of parthenogenesis, feminization of genetic males, male-killing, and most commonly induction of cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), a form of embryonic lethality in crosses between males and females of different Wolbachia infection status. The biology of these bacteria is discussed, with particular emphasis on the mechanism and evolution of Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility.