Wolbachia in butterflies and moths: geographic structure in infection frequency

摘要: Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) constitute one of the most diverse insect orders, play an important role in ecosystem function. However, little is known terms their bacterial communities. Wolbachia, perhaps common widespread intracellular bacterium on Earth, can manipulate physiology reproduction its hosts, transmitted vertically from mother to offspring, or sometimes horizontally between species. While some hosts has been studied extensively, incidence across Lepidoptera poorly understood. A recent analysis using a beta-binomial model infer between-species distribution prevalence estimated that approximately 40 % arthropod species are infected with but particular taxonomic groups ecological niches seem display substantially higher lower incidences. In this study, we took initial step applied similar, maximum likelihood approach 300 (7604 individuals 660 populations) belonging 17 families 10 superfamilies, sampled 36 countries, representing all continents excluding Antarctica. Approximately quarter third appear be around 80 % at non-negligible frequency. This estimate very high compared arthropods general. Wolbachia infection shown vary families, there no evidence for closely related show similar levels. True butterflies (Papilionoidea) overrepresented our data, however, estimates group taken as representative other major lepidopteran superfamilies. We also substantial variation level according geography – closer locations tend further due latitudinal gradient infection, frequencies towards latitudes. Our comprehensive survey suggests high, provides climate strong predictors