Sex-specific behavioural symptoms of viral gut infection and Wolbachia in Drosophila melanogaster

摘要: All organisms are infected with a range of symbionts spanning the spectrum beneficial mutualists to detrimental parasites. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is good example, as both endosymbiotic Wolbachia, and pathogenic C Virus (DCV) commonly infect it. While pathophysiology immune responses against focus intense study, behavioural effects these infections have received less attention. Here we report sex-specific in D. melanogaster. DCV infection caused increased sleep female flies, but had no detectable effect male flies. presence Wolbachia did not reduce this response viral infection. We also found evidence for cost flies endosymbiont became more lethargic when awake. discuss symptoms potentially adaptive sickness behaviours.